Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation today is showing moderate conditions, with solar flux at 114 and a sunspot number of 78. The K-index is low (2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbances. Expect good performance on 20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands like 12m and 10m remain mostly closed due to lower solar activity. Lower bands (80m/40m) will be fair during the day and good at night, making them reliable for regional and some DX contacts. Operators should focus on 20m and 40m for the best results and watch for possible short-lived openings on 15m and 17m.
💡 Operator Tips
- Target 20m and 40m for consistent contacts; these bands are the most reliable under current solar conditions.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31, RTTY) on higher bands (15m, 17m) to take advantage of weak openings.
- For DX, operate around local sunrise/sunset (grayline) on 40m and 20m.
- Check 80m/40m at night for strong regional and some transcontinental signals.
- Monitor cluster spots for unexpected band openings, especially on 15m.
- Keep antennas optimized for lower angles on 20m/17m for longer DX paths.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for both local and some DX.
- 20m: Good all day and night; peak DX around sunrise/sunset.
- 17m/15m: Fair during daylight, especially late morning to afternoon.
- 12m/10m: Poor/closed most of the day; check for brief openings during peak solar hours (late morning).
- Grayline: Maximize DX on 40m and 20m during local dawn/dusk.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—target sunrise/sunset for best DX.
- 20m remains the most reliable for intercontinental paths, especially east-west.
- Northern latitude operators: Aurora activity is low (2), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
- Watch for sporadic E on 10m/6m, though conditions are not favorable today.
- Contest/DXers: Focus efforts on 20m and 40m for the highest QSO rates.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 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 |
Analysis:
- 20m is the best all-around performer, with good conditions day and night.
- 40m/80m are good to excellent at night, making them prime for late-night and early-morning ops.
- 17m/15m are only fair—try digital modes for best results.
- 12m/10m are mostly poor/closed; check only during solar peaks or for sporadic E.
- For DX, prioritize 20m during the day and 40m at night.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field; low risk of HF blackouts or aurora)
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 114 (moderate; supports 20m and some 17m/15m propagation)
- Sunspot Number: 78 (moderate; not enough for strong high-band openings)
- Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray at B7.9 (low).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances detected.
- Expect continued stable propagation, especially on lower bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B7.9 (low); minimal risk of sudden HF blackouts.
- Solar Wind: 388.5 km/s (moderate); no significant impact on geomagnetic activity.
- Electron Flux: 2020 (elevated but not extreme); may cause minor absorption at high latitudes.
- Proton Flux: 16 (quiet; no radiation storm risk).
- Aurora: 2 (very low); auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
- Helium Line: 107.2 (stable; no sign of major solar changes).
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent months show a downward trend in both solar flux and sunspot numbers since June, leading to weaker high-band (12m/10m) propagation.
- Solar flux dropped from 138 in June to 105 now; sunspots from 101 to 60.
- Expect continued moderate HF conditions with best reliability on 20m and lower bands.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Solar activity expected to remain moderate with no major flares or storms forecast.
- K-index likely to stay low, supporting stable HF propagation.
- Best bands: 20m, 40m, 80m (especially at night).
- Worst bands: 12m, 10m (mostly closed).
- No alerts or warnings for HF or VHF operators at this time.
- Continue to monitor for sudden changes, especially during local dawn/dusk for possible grayline DX.