Amateur Radio Propagation Report

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 quiet geomagnetic conditions, offering generally stable but not outstanding band performance. Expect good openings on 20m throughout the day and night, with fair conditions on 40m and 80m—especially after sunset. Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) remain mostly closed or poor, so focus your efforts on the lower and mid bands for reliable contacts. With a low K-index and minimal auroral activity, noise levels should be manageable, making this a good day for both casual and DX operation on the lower bands. Digital modes will help you make the most of the current conditions.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m and 40m for daytime and evening operation—these bands offer the best reliability today.
• Try digital modes like FT8 or PSK31, especially on higher bands where SSB/CW may struggle.
• Monitor 17m and 15m for brief openings, especially around local noon or during grayline.
• Use low-noise antennas and check your noise floor—quiet geomagnetic conditions favor weak-signal work.
• DXers: Focus on grayline periods for long-haul contacts, especially on 20m and 40m.
• Contesters: Concentrate activity on 40m and 20m for the best rates; 80m will be solid after dark.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning; fair during the day.
• 20m: Good all day and night—your go-to band for reliable contacts.
• 17m/15m: Fair during daylight, especially late morning to afternoon.
• 12m/10m: Poor or closed most of the day; check for brief sporadic-E or solar-driven openings around midday.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline openings on 40m and 20m offer the best shot at DX, especially east-west paths.
• Northern paths are stable with low auroral activity—good news for polar routes.
• No major solar events or aurora expected, so VHF/UHF DX is unlikely.
• Watch for short-lived 17m/15m DX around local noon, but don’t expect sustained high-band action.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Currently, 20m is the most reliable band for all-day operation, with 40m and 80m improving after sunset for regional and some DX work. 17m and 15m are marginal—worth checking, but not dependable. 12m and 10m are mostly closed; only try these for local or sporadic-E contacts if you’re feeling lucky.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (very quiet geomagnetic field—minimal noise, stable propagation)
• Solar Flux: 116 (moderate; supports 20m and some 17/15m openings, but not enough for consistent high-band activity)
• Sunspot Number: 110 (moderate; indicates some solar activity, but not at peak levels)
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at C1.0 (low-level activity)

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable (around 2 or less) over the past 24 hours, indicating calm geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances—propagation is steady and predictable.
• These quiet conditions favor low-band and weak-signal work, with minimal auroral interference.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.0 (low-level; no HF blackouts expected)
• Solar Wind Speed: 438 km/s (moderate; not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms)
• Electron Flux: 3430 (elevated, but not extreme—may cause minor QSB or absorption, mainly on higher bands)
• Proton Flux: 60 (quiet; no radiation storm concerns)
• Aurora Level: 4 (low; auroral propagation unlikely, VHF/UHF not enhanced)
• Helium Line: 113.6 (stable; no rapid changes in solar activity trends)

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the last several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have gradually declined from late 2025 peaks, leading to today’s moderate propagation.
• The recent downward trend means high bands (12m/10m) are less likely to open, while lower bands remain reliable.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms are present, so conditions are steady.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation will remain stable with quiet geomagnetic conditions and moderate solar flux.
• Expect similar band performance through the next 72 hours: 20m and 40m will be your best bets, with 17m/15m offering occasional fair openings.
• No major solar storms or auroral events are forecasted—enjoy the calm and plan for low-band activity, especially at night.
• Keep an eye on solar data for any sudden changes, but no alerts or warnings are currently in effect.