Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is currently in a moderate state, with solar flux at 139 and a sunspot number of 53, supporting decent daytime and nighttime activity on most bands. The K-index is low (around 1.7), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and generally stable propagation. Expect good performance on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (12m, 10m) may be less reliable, especially after sunset. Lower bands (80m, 40m) are better at night and fair during the day. No major space weather alerts are present, so operators can plan for steady conditions with some potential for DX, especially during grayline periods.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime and evening contacts, especially for DX.
• 80m and 40m are best after sunset and before sunrise for regional and some long-haul contacts.
• Try digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) on 12m and 10m to take advantage of marginal openings.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Keep antennas optimized for your target bands and check for short-lived band openings on 10m.
• With low geomagnetic activity, take advantage of stable conditions for contests or award chasing.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Good all day, especially late morning through early evening
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon; conditions are fair and may close quickly after sunset
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Enhanced long-path and DX on 40m–20m

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline paths on 40m and 20m are favorable for transcontinental DX—watch sunrise/sunset windows.
• 20m and 17m offer the most consistent global reach today, with good potential for intercontinental contacts.
• 15m is open for daytime DX, especially on north-south paths.
• 10m and 12m may open briefly for sporadic DX, especially in equatorial and southern latitudes.
• No significant auroral activity, so polar paths are stable.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable bands for both local and DX work throughout the day and evening. 80m and 40m are best at night and early morning, with fair conditions during daylight hours. 12m and 10m may offer short-lived fair openings during the day, but expect them to close after sunset. Focus your efforts on 20m–15m for the best results, and use digital modes to maximize contacts on marginal bands.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1.7 (quiet geomagnetic field) – minimal disturbance, stable HF propagation
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 139 (moderate) – supports good propagation on 20m–15m, marginal on 12m/10m
• Sunspot Number: 53 (moderate) – enough for decent HF activity, but not peak cycle levels
• Space Weather: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at B8.4 (low), so blackout risk is minimal

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has trended downward over the past 24 hours, moving from values around 3–4 to the current low of 1.7.
• This indicates improving and stable geomagnetic conditions, with minimal disruptions expected for HF propagation.
• No significant geomagnetic storms are present or forecasted.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B8.4 (low) – No risk of HF blackouts; stable D-layer absorption.
• Solar Wind Speed: 445 km/s – Slightly elevated, but not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 2580 (moderate), Proton flux 14 (quiet) – No significant impact on HF.
• Aurora Activity: 2 (very low) – No auroral propagation expected; polar paths are open and stable.
• Helium Line: 125.8 – Indicates moderate solar activity, consistent with current solar flux and sunspot numbers.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show solar flux fluctuating between 139–160, with sunspot numbers mostly above 100, supporting overall good HF conditions.
• The last 7 months have seen moderate solar activity, with a slight dip in sunspots but still favorable for 20m–15m.
• No major solar events or sudden drops in solar flux are evident.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued moderate solar activity with solar flux and sunspot numbers holding steady.
• K-index is forecast to remain low, so stable HF conditions should persist.
• 20m, 17m, and 15m will remain the best bands for both local and DX work.
• 10m and 12m may open for brief periods during daylight, especially if solar flux ticks up.
• No alerts or warnings are in effect; operators can plan for reliable contest, DX, and award-chasing activity.