Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is being impacted today by a mix of high solar flux (161) and moderate sunspot numbers (97), but also by elevated geomagnetic activity (K-index 5, A-index 74) and a strong solar wind. This means that while the ionosphere is energized, geomagnetic disturbances are causing significant absorption and signal fading, especially on the lower bands. Expect challenging conditions on 80m, 40m, and 20m, with only fair openings on higher bands like 17m, 15m, and 12m during daylight. Operators should be prepared for rapid changes and increased noise, and focus on higher bands for any DX opportunities.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) for better performance under poor conditions.
- Shorten your skip: Focus on regional contacts, as long-haul DX will be tough except possibly on 15m and 17m.
- Monitor solar and geomagnetic updates throughout the day for sudden changes.
- Use directional antennas and low-noise receiving setups to combat QSB and absorption.
- For contests or DXing, try the higher bands during local midday and early afternoon.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) |
|---|---|
| 80m | None (Poor all day) |
| 40m | None (Poor all day) |
| 20m | None (Poor all day) |
| 17m | 14:00–18:00 (Fair) |
| 15m | 14:00–18:00 (Fair) |
| 12m | 14:00–18:00 (Fair) |
| 10m | 14:00–18:00 (Fair) |
- Focus on 15m and 17m during local afternoon for best chances.
- Low bands (80/40m) are not recommended today.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- DX is limited due to geomagnetic disturbances, but brief openings may occur on 15m and 17m during daylight, especially along north-south paths.
- Grayline: Watch for short-lived enhancements on 17m and 15m around sunrise/sunset.
- Aurora: Low auroral activity (Aurora: 1) means no aurora-related VHF/UHF openings.
- No major special events or enhanced propagation expected.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 40m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 20m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
- Best bands today: 17m and 15m (fair, especially midday and afternoon).
- 12m and 10m: Possible brief fair conditions during the day, but poor at night.
- 80m, 40m, 20m: Poor all day and night due to absorption and geomagnetic effects.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 5 (active geomagnetic conditions) – expect signal fading, absorption, and possible blackouts, especially on low bands.
- Solar Flux: 161 (high) – the ionosphere is energized, but geomagnetic storms limit the benefit.
- Sunspot Number: 97 – moderate, supporting some higher band openings.
- Space Weather: Elevated solar wind (584 km/s) and X-ray flux (C5.8) indicate ongoing solar activity and potential for further disturbances.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has been elevated (recent value: 5), indicating active geomagnetic conditions over the past 24 hours.
- Trend: Conditions have worsened, with increased geomagnetic storming likely causing poor propagation, especially on low and mid bands.
- Operators should expect: High absorption, increased noise, and rapid fading, especially at higher latitudes.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: C5.8 – Moderate solar flare activity, increasing the risk of shortwave fadeouts and HF blackouts, especially on sunlit paths.
- Solar Wind: 584.4 km/s – Elevated, contributing to geomagnetic disturbances and absorption.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux (4910) and proton flux (305) are both high, which can degrade HF propagation and increase noise.
- Aurora Activity: Low (1) – No significant auroral propagation expected for VHF/UHF.
- Helium Line: 118.5 – Indicates ongoing solar activity; watch for further changes.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent months have seen a modest recovery in solar flux and sunspot numbers after a dip in early spring, but current geomagnetic activity is offsetting these gains.
- Solar flux has climbed from ~120 in April to 138–161 now, but propagation is limited by geomagnetic storms.
- Sunspot numbers have stabilized in the 90–100 range, supporting some high-band activity.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Next 3 days: Expect continued challenging HF conditions as geomagnetic activity remains elevated. High bands (17m, 15m) may offer brief fair openings during daylight, but low bands will remain poor. Monitor for further solar flares or geomagnetic alerts. Digital modes and local/regional contacts will be most productive. Stay tuned for updates as conditions can change rapidly with ongoing solar activity.