Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is shaped by a moderate solar flux of 101 and a low sunspot number of 54, resulting in generally stable but somewhat subdued band conditions. The geomagnetic field is very quiet (K-index: 0), which means minimal disruptions and low noise, especially favorable for low-band operations. Expect good performance on 80m, 40m, and 20m, with higher bands (17m, 15m) offering only fair openings and 12m/10m mostly closed except for occasional short-skip or sporadic E. Operators should focus on the lower bands for reliable contacts and watch for brief DX windows on 15m and 17m during daylight. No major space weather alerts are active, so stable conditions are expected throughout the day.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Prioritize 80m, 40m, and 20m for both local and DX contacts—these bands are the most reliable today.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31, RTTY) on 15m and 17m to take advantage of marginal openings.
- For DX, operate around sunrise and sunset for enhanced grayline propagation, especially on 40m and 20m.
- QRP (low-power) operation is viable on the lower bands due to low geomagnetic noise.
- Antennas with low-angle radiation will help maximize DX on 20m and above.
- Monitor the bands for any brief openings on 10m, especially during local midday.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–08:00 | Excellent night, good early morning |
| 40m | 18:00–10:00 | Good all night, sunrise/sunset DX |
| 20m | 10:00–20:00 | Daytime DX, some evening enhancement |
| 17m | 12:00–18:00 | Fair midday, short DX windows |
| 15m | 13:00–17:00 | Fair, mostly short path, digital best |
| 12m | 14:00–16:00 | Poor, rare openings possible |
| 10m | 15:00–16:00 | Poor, watch for sporadic E |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline propagation is strong on 40m and 20m around local sunrise/sunset—target long-path DX at these times.
- 20m offers the best global coverage during daylight, with some chance for trans-equatorial paths.
- 15m/17m may open briefly to southern latitudes or across the equator during local midday.
- No significant auroral or polar path enhancement—northern operators should expect normal conditions.
- Watch for short-lived 10m/12m openings due to sporadic E, especially near noon.
- No major solar events or disturbances expected, so plan for steady, predictable propagation.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent | 🟢 Excellent |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Closed |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | ⚫ Closed | ⚫ Closed |
80m and 40m are the workhorses today, providing reliable coverage at night and into the morning. 20m remains solid during daylight and early evening, making it the best choice for daytime DX. 17m and 15m offer only fair conditions, mainly supporting regional contacts or digital modes. 12m and 10m are largely closed, with only rare, brief openings possible—monitor but don’t rely on these bands.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0 (very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal noise/interference, ideal for low-band operation)
- Solar Flux: 101 (moderate; supports good low/mid-band propagation, but limits higher bands)
- Sunspot Number: 54 (below recent averages, indicating reduced ionization and fewer high-band openings)
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray activity is low (B3.3), and solar wind is calm.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained at 0 over the past 24 hours, indicating very stable and quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances—conditions are stable and improving compared to earlier months with higher K-index values.
- Expect low noise levels and enhanced propagation on 80m and 40m, especially for polar and high-latitude paths.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.3 (very low; no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances)
- Solar Wind Speed: 362.1 km/s (calm; minimal impact on geomagnetic field and propagation)
- Electron Flux: 2080 (moderate; no significant absorption or D-layer disturbances expected)
- Proton Flux: 9 (quiet; no polar cap absorption events)
- Aurora: 2 (very low; no auroral propagation expected on HF/VHF)
- Helium Line: 111.7 (stable; indicates no major changes in solar activity trend)
- Practical Impact: Expect steady, predictable propagation with no space weather disruptions. VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have trended downward from spring highs (solar flux 138, SSN 94) to current moderate levels (solar flux 101, SSN 54).
- This trend explains the decreased high-band activity and more reliable low/mid-band propagation.
- Expect continued good conditions on 80m–20m, with 15m and above only opening during brief, favorable periods.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Stable geomagnetic conditions are forecast, with K-index expected to remain low (0–1).
- No major solar events anticipated; solar flux and sunspot numbers likely to remain steady or slightly decrease.
- Best bands: 80m, 40m, 20m for all operating modes and DX.
- Worst bands: 12m, 10m—monitor for rare openings, but focus efforts elsewhere.
- No alerts or warnings for amateur radio operators—enjoy the quiet bands and take advantage of the low noise floor!