Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is currently in a moderate phase, with solar flux at 121 and a sunspot number of 93, supporting fair to good conditions on most bands. The K-index is low (quiet geomagnetic field), so expect stable propagation, especially on the lower bands. Daytime operation is best on 20m and 17m, while 40m and 80m will shine after sunset. Higher bands (12m, 10m) are less reliable, especially at night, but may still yield short openings. For best results, focus on the 20m band during the day and 40m/80m at night.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m and 17m for reliable daytime DX and regional contacts.
• 40m and 80m are your go-to bands for night-time operation and longer skip.
• Try digital modes (FT8, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) to take advantage of brief openings.
• Keep antennas optimized for lower angles if chasing DX, especially during grayline.
• With low geomagnetic activity, north-south paths may be more stable than east-west.
• Portable operators: bring a tuner for band agility as conditions shift throughout the day.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after sunset through early morning; fair during the day.
• 30m & 20m: Good all day, especially late morning to early evening.
• 17m & 15m: Fair during daylight hours; fades at night.
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to early afternoon for possible short openings.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m at local sunrise and sunset—target long-haul DX.
• 20m: Consistent worldwide openings, especially to equatorial and southern hemisphere regions.
• 17m/15m: Occasional DX to Africa, South America, and the Pacific during daylight.
• Aurora: Low activity, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
• Watch for short 10m/12m bursts—monitor beacons and FT8 for surprise openings.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• Best bands today: 20m (all day), 40m/80m (evening/night)
• Challenging bands: 10m and 12m, especially after sunset—use digital modes for best results
• 17m/15m: Worth checking during daylight for regional and some DX, but expect only fair conditions

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet) — minimal geomagnetic disturbance, stable HF conditions
• Solar Flux: 121 — moderate, supports good propagation up to 20m and fair on higher bands
• Sunspot Number: 93 — moderate, enough for decent HF activity but not peak cycle levels
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray at C1.0 (minor), no blackout risk

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low (K=0-1), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions
• Impact: Expect minimal absorption and good reliability on all HF bands, especially for polar and trans-equatorial paths
• No geomagnetic storms or warnings in effect

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.0 — Low-level, no HF blackout risk; minor enhancement possible on lower bands
• Solar Wind: 378 km/s — Typical speed, not likely to cause geomagnetic upsets
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 2250 (moderate), proton flux 22 (quiet); no significant impact on HF
• Aurora: 2 (very low) — No auroral propagation expected; VHF/UHF quiet for northern ops
• Helium Line: 111.7 — Stable, indicating no major solar changes imminent

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Solar flux and sunspot trend: Both have declined since June, with solar flux dropping from 138 to 105 and sunspots from 94 to 60. This means high bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are less reliable, but 20m and below remain solid.
• Recent months: The solar cycle is in a moderate phase, so expect fewer high-band openings but steady performance on 20m and 40m.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation outlook: Stable, with no major solar or geomagnetic disturbances expected. 20m and 40m will remain the most reliable bands. Watch for possible brief improvements on 15m and 17m during local noon.
• VHF/UHF: No enhanced propagation expected due to low auroral and geomagnetic activity.
• Operator advice: Continue to focus on 20m for daytime DX and 40m/80m for night-time activity. Monitor solar data for any sudden flare or geomagnetic changes.