Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is shaped by moderate solar activity and a K-index of 3, indicating some geomagnetic unsettledness but no major storms. The solar flux is at 122, and sunspot numbers are modest at 41, suggesting average ionospheric support for HF bands. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and evening, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will be fair during daylight but may close or degrade after sunset. Lower bands (80m, 40m) are poor by day but fair at night, favoring regional and NVIS contacts after dark. Operators should be alert for short-lived DX windows on mid-high bands and plan for variable conditions, especially during geomagnetic fluctuations.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Use 20m as your primary DX band today—expect reliable performance most hours.
- For daytime operations, try 17m and 15m for possible openings, but be prepared for fading.
- Evening and night: Switch to 40m and 80m for regional and domestic QSOs.
- Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) will help punch through weaker band conditions, especially on 12m/10m.
- Monitor the K-index; if it rises, expect increased noise and possible shortwave blackouts, especially on polar paths.
- For contesters: Focus on 20m and 17m for multipliers, and check 15m for sporadic DX.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–06:00 | Best after sunset, regional/NVIS |
| 40m | 19:00–07:00 | Good at night, fair sunrise/sunset |
| 20m | 08:00–22:00 | Good all day, DX possible |
| 17m | 10:00–18:00 | Fair during daylight, check for DX |
| 15m | 11:00–17:00 | Fair, short DX windows possible |
| 12m | 12:00–16:00 | Fair, mostly short skip |
| 10m | 13:00–15:00 | Fair, brief openings possible |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m: Most reliable for long-haul DX, especially across east-west paths.
- 17m/15m: Watch for midday DX, especially to southern latitudes.
- Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m around sunrise/sunset—target antipodal paths.
- 10m/12m: Brief, sporadic E-skip possible midday; check for short, strong DX bursts.
- Aurora: Low aurora levels (2) mean minimal VHF auroral propagation today.
- Special events: No major solar flares or storms forecast, so no extreme propagation events expected.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 40m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
- 20m is the most consistent performer, with good conditions day and night—ideal for DX and reliable contacts.
- 17m/15m offer fair propagation, mainly during daylight; expect some DX but with more QSB and shorter openings.
- 12m/10m are fair only during midday hours and likely to close or become poor after sunset.
- 80m/40m are poor during the day but fair at night—best for local/regional work after dark.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 3 (Unsettled geomagnetic conditions; some increased noise, especially on polar paths)
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 122 (Moderate; supports mid-band HF propagation, but not optimal for high bands)
- Sunspot Number: 41 (Low to moderate; limits maximum usable frequency, especially for 10m/12m)
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares; X-ray background at B6.6 (quiet to low-level activity)
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has hovered around 3 over the past 24 hours, indicating mildly unsettled geomagnetic conditions.
- No significant geomagnetic storms, but minor disturbances may cause short-term fading or increased noise, especially at higher latitudes.
- Trend is stable, with no major spikes or drops recently.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B6.6 (low-level; minimal risk of HF blackouts, but keep an ear out for sudden changes)
- Solar Wind: 550.5 km/s (elevated; can stir up geomagnetic activity, leading to minor disturbances)
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1750 (moderate); proton flux at 635 (low to moderate)—no major impacts, but can add to background noise.
- Aurora Activity: 2 (quiet; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF unlikely today)
- Helium Line: 123.0 (stable; no major solar trend shifts detected)
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past 6 months, solar flux has gradually declined from ~160 to ~125, and sunspot numbers have also decreased from ~125 to ~101.
- This downward trend means high bands (12m/10m) are less reliable, while mid bands (20m/17m/15m) remain the best bet for DX.
- No recent major solar events; propagation is in a "typical declining solar cycle" phase.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect similar conditions over the next three days: moderate solar flux, low geomagnetic storm risk, and stable but not spectacular HF propagation.
- 20m will remain the most reliable for DX; 17m/15m may open for short periods, especially midday.
- 80m/40m will continue to favor night operations.
- No alerts or warnings at this time, but monitor for sudden K-index increases which could briefly degrade HF.
- VHF/UHF: No significant openings expected; aurora and E-skip are unlikely.