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 solar flux at 138 and sunspot numbers at 139, supporting decent daytime and nighttime activity on most bands. The K-index is low (quiet geomagnetic field), so expect stable conditions, especially for mid and high-latitude operators. 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are performing best throughout the day and evening, while 10m and 12m are only fair during daylight and close at night. Watch for enhanced DX on the higher bands during local daytime and take advantage of good low-band conditions at night. No major space weather alerts, but keep an eye on the elevated solar wind and C-class X-ray activity for possible short-term disturbances.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and regional contacts all day and into the evening.
• 40m and 80m are better at night for NVIS/local and regional work; try digital modes (FT8/PSK) for weak signals.
• 10m and 12m may open for short-skip and sporadic-E during daylight—monitor for sudden band openings.
• With low geomagnetic activity, expect stable signals and less fading, especially on higher frequencies.
• If chasing DX, focus on grayline times (sunrise/sunset) on 20m and 17m for best long-haul propagation.
• For contests, prioritize 15m and 20m during the day, and 40m/80m after dark.

⏰ Best Operating Times

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline enhancement: Look for strong DX on 20m and 17m at sunrise/sunset—paths to Asia/Pacific in the morning, Europe/Africa in the evening.
• Daytime DX: 15m and 17m are open for intercontinental contacts, especially toward equatorial and low-latitude regions.
• Sporadic-E: 10m and 12m may open suddenly for short/medium skip; monitor beacons and clusters.
• Aurora: Aurora level is low (3), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
• Special events: No major alerts, but C-class X-ray activity could cause brief HF blackouts on sunlit paths.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable bands today, offering good propagation from morning through night, ideal for DX and general contacts.
• 40m and 80m are fair during the day but improve to good at night, making them best for local/regional work after sunset.
• 10m and 12m are only fair during daylight and likely poor/closed at night—check for brief E-skip openings.
• For maximum results, focus on 20m–15m during the day and 40m–80m at night.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet) — Indicates low geomagnetic disturbance, favoring stable HF conditions.
• Solar Flux: 138 — Moderate, supporting good propagation on 20m–15m, with occasional 12m/10m openings.
• Sunspot Number: 139 — Healthy sunspot count, sustaining ionization for HF.
• Space Weather Overview:
  • X-ray flux: C1.2 (minor solar flare activity; possible brief HF fadeouts on sunlit paths)
  • Solar wind: 541 km/s (elevated, but not stormy)
  • Aurora: 3 (quiet, minimal auroral impact)

📈 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—propagation is stable, especially for polar and trans-equatorial paths.
• Expect minimal signal fading and good reliability on all HF bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.2 — Indicates minor flare activity; brief HF blackouts possible on the sunlit side, but no major disruptions expected.
• Solar Wind: 541 km/s — Slightly elevated, but not at storm levels; may cause minor variability, especially at higher latitudes.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron flux: 3660 — Elevated, but not extreme; may cause minor absorption on lower bands.
  • Proton flux: 46 — Quiet, no significant impact.
• Aurora Activity: 3 — Low; VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
• Helium Line: 119.0 — Indicates moderate solar activity, consistent with current solar flux and sunspot trends.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past several months, solar flux has decreased from a high of ~160 (Dec 2025) to the current ~126–138 range, with a corresponding dip and recent rebound in sunspot numbers.
• This trend suggests we're past the recent solar maximum peak, but conditions remain favorable for HF, especially on 20m–15m.
• No major long-term disturbances are evident; expect continued moderate propagation for the coming weeks.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Solar activity is expected to remain moderate, with no major flares or geomagnetic storms forecast.
• HF propagation will continue to favor 20m–15m for DX, with 40m/80m best at night.
• 10m/12m may open briefly during daylight, especially with sporadic-E; monitor for sudden changes.
• No alerts or warnings for amateur operators at this time—enjoy the stable conditions and keep an ear out for unexpected band openings!