Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary:
Today’s HF propagation is characterized by moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions, making for generally stable band openings. With a solar flux of 139 and a sunspot number of 132, expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m during daylight, while 80m and 40m will perform best at night. The K-index is low (2), indicating minimal geomagnetic disturbance, which favors reliable DX and regional contacts. High bands (12m and 10m) may be spotty—fair during the day, but poor at night. Operators should take advantage of the steady conditions for both DX and casual operating, especially on the mid-high HF bands.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for daytime DX; these bands are currently the most reliable for long-haul contacts.
• 80m and 40m are your go-to bands for nighttime operation, with good regional and some DX potential.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) will help you punch through weaker band conditions, especially on 12m and 10m.
• For SSB and CW, focus on the mid-bands during daylight and lower bands after dark.
• Check grayline times for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Use directional antennas to maximize your reach, especially toward sunrise and sunset paths.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning for regional and some DX.
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Excellent during local daytime and early evening; best for worldwide DX.
• 12m & 10m: Fair during midday, especially during solar peaks or sporadic-E events; poor at night.
• Grayline (sunrise/sunset): Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m—ideal for chasing rare DX.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Daytime: Look for strong trans-equatorial and east-west DX on 20m, 17m, and 15m.
• Evening: 20m remains open into the evening for long-haul DX, especially along the grayline.
• Night: 40m and 80m open up for transcontinental and some intercontinental DX, especially toward sunrise/sunset.
• Grayline: Take advantage of the grayline for short-lived but powerful openings, particularly on 40m and 20m.
• Aurora: Aurora activity is low (index 3), so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
20m, 17m, and 15m are the most consistent bands throughout the day and into the evening, offering good propagation for both DX and domestic contacts. 80m and 40m are fair during the day but improve to good at night, making them ideal for late-night and early-morning operation. 12m and 10m are fair during daylight but poor at night—use these bands for midday openings and watch for sporadic-E. For the best results, focus your efforts on 20m–15m during the day and 80m–40m after dark.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field) — minimal disruption, stable HF conditions.
• Solar Flux: 139 (radio energy from the sun) — supports good propagation on 20m–15m, some potential for 12m/10m.
• Sunspot Number: 132 — healthy sunspot count, boosting ionization and band openings.
• Space Weather Overview: Solar activity is moderate with a recent X-ray flare at C3.7; no major disruptions expected.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating a quiet geomagnetic environment.
• No significant geomagnetic storms or disturbances have occurred; propagation is unaffected by geomagnetic noise.
• Expect continued stability unless a sudden solar event occurs.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C3.7 flare detected—moderate, but not enough to cause HF blackouts; minor shortwave fadeouts possible on sunlit paths.
• Solar Wind: 403 km/s—a moderate speed, not likely to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 14,100—elevated but not extreme; may cause minor absorption on polar paths.
• Aurora Activity: Index 3—low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is unlikely.
• Helium Line: 126.0—indicates steady solar activity; no sharp upward trend.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a gradual decline in both solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 highs (solar flux ~160, SSN ~125) to current values (solar flux ~120, SSN ~79). This trend reflects a slowly waning solar cycle peak, but current levels still support good HF propagation, especially on the mid-high bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation is expected to remain stable with continued low geomagnetic activity and moderate solar flux.
• 20m–15m will continue to be the best bets for DX and reliable contacts.
• 12m/10m may open briefly during midday, especially if solar flux ticks upward or sporadic-E occurs.
• No major space weather alerts or warnings are forecast; operators can expect consistent conditions for contesting, DXing, and casual QSOs.
• Monitor for sudden solar events (flares or CMEs), but none are currently predicted.