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 with a solar flux of 124 and a sunspot number of 76, both slightly below recent months’ averages. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are only fair during the day and drop to poor at night. Low bands (80m, 40m) are underperforming during daylight but improve to fair at night. Geomagnetic activity is quiet (K-index 3, A-index 10), so no major disruptions are expected. For best results, focus on 20m for reliable contacts and watch for short-lived DX on higher bands during daylight.
💡 Operator Tips
- Target 20m for consistent contacts, both local and DX, all day and night.
- Try 15m and 17m during daylight for possible short-path DX, but expect variable results.
- Low bands (80m/40m) will perform best after sunset—plan for regional and some longer-haul QSOs at night.
- Digital modes (FT8, FT4) will help pull in weak signals, especially on marginal bands.
- Monitor grayline times for enhanced propagation, especially on 40m and 20m.
- Use directional antennas to maximize your reach, especially toward sunrise/sunset paths.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–06:00 (Night) | Fair at night, poor during day |
| 40m | 19:00–07:00 (Night) | Fair at night, poor during day |
| 20m | 06:00–22:00 (All day) | Good day and night, best all-around band |
| 17m | 09:00–18:00 (Day) | Fair during daylight, fades at night |
| 15m | 10:00–17:00 (Day) | Fair during daylight, poor at night |
| 12m | 11:00–16:00 (Day) | Fair during daylight, poor at night |
| 10m | 12:00–15:00 (Day) | Fair during daylight, poor at night |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m is the go-to band for DX, especially during grayline (sunrise/sunset) periods.
- 15m and 17m may open for short periods to Europe, Africa, and South America—check for fleeting DX.
- Grayline enhancement is strongest on 40m and 20m—watch for transcontinental openings at local dawn and dusk.
- Aurora activity is low (index 4), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
- No major solar events forecasted—expect stable but not spectacular DX conditions.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 40m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
- 20m is the standout performer—good all day and night for both local and DX contacts.
- 17m and 15m are fair throughout the day; expect some DX but with more noise and QSB.
- 12m and 10m are fair during daylight but close down at night—try for sporadic E or short-path DX midday.
- 80m and 40m are poor during the day but fair at night—best for regional nets and ragchews after sunset.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 3 (quiet to unsettled)—no major geomagnetic storms, stable HF conditions.
- Solar Flux: 124 (moderate)—supports decent MUF, especially for 20m and 17m.
- Sunspot Number: 76 (moderate)—enough for some higher band activity, but not peak cycle levels.
- Space Weather: No major flares or proton events; X-ray at C1.0 (minor), so no HF blackouts expected.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- Recent K-index trend: Stable and low, mostly at or below 3 in the past 24 hours.
- Impact: Quiet geomagnetic field means minimal absorption and no auroral disturbances—good for HF, especially polar and trans-equatorial paths.
- Outlook: No signs of increasing geomagnetic activity; expect continued stable conditions.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: C1.0—minor, no risk of radio blackouts.
- Solar Wind Speed: 386.5 km/s—moderate, not likely to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Electron Flux: 2020—elevated but not extreme; may cause some minor polar absorption, but not a major concern.
- Proton Flux: 36—low, so no polar cap absorption events.
- Aurora: 4—low, so VHF/UHF aurora propagation is unlikely for northern operators.
- Helium Line: 116.7—steady, indicating no major upswings in solar activity.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Solar flux and sunspot trends over the past 6 months show a modest decline from peaks earlier in the year (solar flux was 138–136, now 124; sunspots from 101 to 76).
- Implication: We’re past the recent solar peak, so high bands (12m/10m) are less reliable, but 20m remains robust.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Propagation will remain stable with little change in solar or geomagnetic activity expected.
- 20m will continue to be the best band for both day and night operation.
- 15m/17m may offer brief DX windows during daylight, especially if solar flux ticks up.
- No alerts or warnings—operate as usual, but monitor for any sudden solar events.
- VHF/UHF: No aurora or enhanced propagation expected; stick to tropo and local work.