Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation today is shaped by moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux around 122 and sunspot numbers near 78, expect good performance on 20m throughout the day and evening, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) may be more limited, especially at night. The K-index is low (2 or below), meaning geomagnetic disturbances are minimal, which helps stabilize HF paths. Lower bands (80m, 40m) will be reliable for regional and some DX contacts, especially after sunset. Operators should watch for brief high-band openings during daylight and take advantage of stable conditions on the mid-bands.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m as your primary band for both local and DX—conditions are consistently good.
• 40m and 80m will be your best bet for evening and nighttime operations, especially for regional QSOs.
• Try digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) during daylight for weak-signal DX.
• Keep antennas optimized for lower angles if chasing DX, especially on 20m and above.
• With low geomagnetic activity, expect stable propagation—ideal for contests or extended ragchews.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced long-path DX, particularly on 40m and 20m.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning; fair during the day.
• 20m: Good all day and into the evening.
• 17m & 15m: Fair during daylight hours; less reliable at night.
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for possible short openings; expect poor night conditions.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—watch sunrise/sunset for enhanced DX, especially east-west.
• 20m offers the best chance for intercontinental contacts throughout the day.
• 15m and above: Look for sporadic E or brief F-layer openings, especially toward equatorial and southern latitudes.
• Aurora activity is low, so polar path DX is possible but not enhanced.
• No major space weather events expected—enjoy stable conditions for planned DXpeditions or contests.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m is the most reliable band, offering good propagation all day and evening—ideal for both DX and local contacts.
• 40m and 80m improve after sunset, making them excellent for nighttime operations and regional nets.
• 17m and 15m are fair throughout the day; try digital modes for best results.
• 12m and 10m may open briefly during daylight, but expect limited activity, especially after dark.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet) — Indicates low geomagnetic disturbance, supporting stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux: 122 — Moderate level, supporting good 20m and fair higher-band activity.
• Sunspot Number: 78 — Moderate, enough for some F-layer propagation but not strong enough for consistent high-band openings.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B7.0 (low-level), so blackouts are unlikely.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable (0–2) over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances—propagation should remain steady, especially on mid and lower bands.
• Quiet geomagnetic field means less fading and more reliable signals, especially for polar and high-latitude paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B7.0 (low)—No risk of HF blackouts; stable D-layer absorption.
• Solar Wind: 348 km/s—Mild speed, not likely to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 1470, Proton flux 10—Normal levels, minimal impact on HF.
• Aurora Activity: 2 (very low)—No auroral propagation expected; VHF/UHF operators in northern latitudes will not see enhanced conditions.
• Helium Line: 122.7—Stable, indicating no major solar upswings or downswings.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have declined from late 2025 highs (solar flux ~160, SSN ~125) to current moderate values (solar flux ~122, SSN ~78–101).
• This trend means high bands (12m, 10m) are less likely to open reliably, but 20m and 40m remain robust.
• No recent major solar events—propagation has been steady, with only minor day-to-day variations.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index 0–2), supporting stable HF propagation.
• Solar flux and sunspot numbers are likely to remain moderate, so no dramatic changes in band conditions.
• Best bands: 20m (all day), 40m/80m (night), 17m/15m (daytime digital).
• Worst bands: 12m/10m (especially at night).
• No space weather alerts or warnings—enjoy reliable operating for the next several days!