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 challenging, with most higher bands (20m and above) experiencing poor conditions due to modest solar activity and a recent decline in sunspot numbers. The 80m and 40m bands are your best bets today, especially during nighttime when conditions improve to good. Geomagnetic activity is quiet (low K-index), so local and regional contacts should be reliable, but long-distance DX on higher bands will be tough. Expect limited opportunities on 15m, 12m, and 10m, and focus your efforts on the lower bands for the best results.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 80m and 40m for both local and regional QSOs, especially after sunset.
• Use digital modes (FT8, JT65) on higher bands if you want to try for rare openings—these modes work better in poor conditions.
• Vertical antennas or dipoles with low takeoff angles may help snag any fleeting DX on 20m and above.
• For contesters: concentrate on the low bands and be prepared for higher noise levels.
• Check for grayline openings around sunrise and sunset, especially on 40m and 80m for possible DX.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m: Try late morning and early afternoon, but expect limited results
• 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m: Conditions are generally poor throughout the day; check for brief openings midday
• Grayline: Watch sunrise/sunset for enhanced propagation on 40m and 80m

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline paths on 40m and 80m may allow for limited DX, especially toward east-west paths.
• 20m may offer short, weak DX windows during local midday, but expect signals to be faint.
• Aurora activity is very low, so no auroral propagation expected on VHF/UHF.
• No major solar events or special propagation modes (Sporadic-E, TEP) predicted today.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The 80m and 40m bands are performing best, especially at night and during the early morning hours, providing reliable local and regional coverage. 20m and higher bands are largely closed or poor for most of the day and night, with only a slim chance of short openings around local noon. Focus your efforts on the lower bands for the most consistent results.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0–2 (very quiet geomagnetic conditions, minimal disturbances)
• Solar Flux: ~126 (moderate, but below levels needed for strong high-band openings)
• Sunspot Number: 101 (down from recent months, indicating a lull in solar activity)
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B5.6 (quiet)

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating a calm geomagnetic environment.
• No geomagnetic storms or disturbances are expected, supporting stable conditions on the lower HF bands.
• These quiet conditions help reduce noise and fading, especially on 80m and 40m.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.6 (low; no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances)
• Solar Wind: 406 km/s (moderate; not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms)
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1980 (elevated but not extreme; minor impact on polar paths possible), proton flux low (23)
• Aurora Activity: 1 (very low; no auroral propagation expected)
• Helium Line: 117.4 (stable, suggesting no major solar upswings imminent)

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a decline in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 highs (solar flux ~160, SSN ~125) to current moderate levels (solar flux ~126, SSN ~101). This downward trend is typical as the solar cycle peaks and begins to wane, resulting in reduced high-band openings and favoring lower HF bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions with low K-index values.
• Solar flux and sunspot numbers are likely to remain steady or decline slightly, so no major improvement on higher bands is anticipated.
• 80m and 40m will continue to be the most reliable bands for both local and regional contacts.
• Watch for any sudden solar events or K-index spikes, but none are forecasted at this time.
• No alerts or warnings for amateur radio operators; routine operations recommended.