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 moderately favorable, with a solar flux of 141 and sunspot numbers in the mid-90s, supporting good activity on the higher bands during daylight. Geomagnetic conditions are currently quiet (K-index 2), which means minimal disturbance and stable propagation, especially for mid- and high-latitude operators. Expect good openings on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day, while 10m and 12m may be more variable. Nighttime favors the lower bands (80m, 40m), with quieter geomagnetic conditions supporting longer DX paths. Operators should take advantage of the stable conditions before any potential geomagnetic changes.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and intercontinental contacts.
• 80m and 40m will be your best bet for nighttime operations, especially for regional and some DX work.
• For 10m and 12m, try midday and early afternoon for possible short-skip and sporadic-E, but expect patchy results.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4) are recommended for marginal band openings, especially on 12m and 10m.
• Keep antennas optimized for your target bands and monitor cluster spots for sudden band openings.
• If contesting or chasing DX, focus on grayline periods and be ready to switch bands as conditions shift.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after sunset through early morning.
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Peak performance from late morning through late afternoon.
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon, especially during solar flux peaks.
• Grayline: Excellent for long-haul DX on 40m and 20m around sunrise/sunset.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline paths are strong on 40m and 20m—target sunrise/sunset for transcontinental DX.
• Daytime F-layer propagation on 17m and 15m supports intercontinental contacts, especially east-west.
• 10m/12m: Watch for brief openings, especially toward the equator and during local noon.
• Aurora activity is low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely, but northern operators should still monitor for surprises.
• Watch for enhanced north-south paths on 15m and 17m during daylight.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• Best bands: 20m, 17m, and 15m are consistently Good all day and night, making them the most reliable for both DX and local contacts.
• 80m and 40m are Good at night and in the morning/evening, but drop to Fair during the day.
• 12m and 10m are only Fair during daylight and close at night, so check for brief daytime openings, especially if solar flux rises further.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic conditions—minimal disturbance, stable HF propagation)
• Solar Flux: 141 (supports upper HF band openings, especially 15m and 17m)
• Sunspot Number: 94 (moderate activity, enough for F-layer propagation but not at solar maximum)
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances currently reported; X-ray background at B8.1 (quiet to moderate).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No significant geomagnetic storms or disturbances are present, so expect stable propagation, especially on polar and trans-equatorial paths.
• If the K-index rises, expect possible short-term absorption on higher bands and enhanced auroral activity.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B8.1 level—quiet, with no risk of HF blackouts from solar flares.
• Solar Wind: 661.9 km/s—elevated, but not extreme; could cause minor geomagnetic fluctuations if sustained.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux is high (13100), which may cause minor absorption on lower bands but is not currently disruptive.
• Aurora Activity: Level 2—low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is unlikely.
• Helium Line: 120.0—steady, indicating no major solar upswings or flare activity at this time.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a declining trend in both solar flux and sunspot numbers since mid-2026, which explains the less robust high-band conditions.
• Despite the decline, current solar flux remains above 100, supporting decent propagation on 20m-15m.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms have occurred in the past week, contributing to stable HF conditions.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation is expected to remain stable for the next three days, with solar flux holding near current values and no major geomagnetic storms forecast.
• Best bands: 20m, 17m, and 15m will continue to offer the most reliable openings for DX and intercontinental contacts.
• Watch for short-lived 10m and 12m openings during local midday, especially if solar flux ticks upward.
• Nighttime operations: 80m and 40m will remain strong for regional and some DX work.
• No alerts or warnings for major solar or geomagnetic events at this time—enjoy the relatively quiet space weather!