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 very quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux of 111 and sunspot numbers at 55, expect good performance on 20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands like 12m and 10m will be challenging. The K-index is at 1 (very quiet), so noise and absorption are minimal, making this a great day for low-band and mid-band operation. Operators should focus on the 20m and 40m bands for reliable contacts, and watch for brief DX openings on 17m and 15m during daylight. High bands (12m/10m) are mostly closed, but check for sporadic E or short-lived enhancements.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Prioritize 20m for daytime DX and reliable regional contacts.
- 40m and 80m will perform best at night and early morning, especially for local and regional QSOs.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) to take advantage of any weak or short openings.
- CW and SSB will be effective on 40m and 20m; consider QRP on quiet bands.
- For DX, focus on grayline periods (sunrise/sunset) on 20m and 40m.
- Keep an ear on 6m and VHF for any auroral or sporadic E, but no major events are expected.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–08:00 (Night/Early AM) | Strongest at night, low noise |
| 40m | 18:00–10:00 (Evening/Night) | Good for regional, some DX at grayline |
| 20m | 10:00–22:00 (Day/Evening) | Best all-around DX, open most of day |
| 17m | 12:00–18:00 (Midday/Afternoon) | Occasional openings, check often |
| 15m | 12:00–18:00 (Midday/Afternoon) | Weak but possible short DX windows |
| 12m/10m | 14:00–18:00 (Afternoon) | Mostly closed, check for sporadic E |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m: Most reliable for DX, especially along the grayline and during daylight.
- 40m: Good for long-haul contacts at local sunrise/sunset.
- 17m/15m: Watch for brief DX openings midday, especially toward equatorial regions.
- Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m at sunrise/sunset—target antipodal paths.
- Aurora: Low activity (Aurora index 2), so VHF auroral DX is unlikely.
- Special Events: No major space weather events; expect stable but subdued conditions.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
The 20m band is the most consistent performer today, offering good conditions all day and night. 40m and 80m are good at night and early morning, with some fair periods during the day. 17m and 15m are only fair and may support short DX paths around local noon. 12m and 10m are mostly poor—check for brief openings, but don’t expect much. For reliable contacts, stick to 20m, 40m, and 80m.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 1 — Very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal absorption, excellent for low-band work.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 111 — Moderate, supports 20m and lower bands, but not enough for regular 10m/12m openings.
- Sunspot Number: 55 — Low to moderate, correlates with subdued high-band propagation.
- Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B4.6 (quiet).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained very low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or significant disturbances.
- These stable conditions mean low noise and good low-band propagation, especially at night.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B4.6 (quiet)—no risk of HF blackouts or sudden absorption events.
- Solar Wind Speed: 399 km/s—near average, not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Electron Flux: 1770—elevated but not extreme; may cause minor MUF variability, but no major impacts.
- Proton Flux: 11—well below storm thresholds.
- Aurora Index: 2—very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
- Helium Line: 118.8—stable, indicating no significant solar trend changes.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux has declined from highs near 160 (late 2025) to current values around 111–126.
- Sunspot numbers have also dropped, reflecting a waning solar cycle phase.
- This trend means high bands (12m/10m) are less likely to open, while 20m and 40m remain reliable.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Propagation will remain stable with quiet geomagnetic conditions and moderate solar activity.
- 20m and 40m will continue to be the best bands for both local and DX contacts.
- No major space weather events are forecast—no alerts or warnings.
- High bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will remain mostly closed, but check for brief openings, especially during local afternoon.
- VHF/UHF: No auroral or major sporadic E activity expected, but monitor 6m for any surprises.
Stay tuned to real-time solar data for any sudden changes, and enjoy the quiet bands!