Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: Current HF propagation is looking favorable for most amateur bands, thanks to a steady solar flux of around 136 and a sunspot number near 78. Geomagnetic conditions are extremely quiet with a K-index of 0, meaning minimal disturbances and stable propagation. Expect good openings on the higher bands (20m-10m) during daylight, with reliable low-band performance at night. No major solar flares or space weather disturbances are reported, so operators can plan for consistent band conditions and take advantage of the calm space weather for DX and casual contacts.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for daytime DX—these bands will be most reliable for long-haul contacts.
- 10m and 12m may open for short periods, especially around local noon and early afternoon, so monitor for sporadic E or F2 openings.
- 80m and 40m will provide strong local and regional coverage at night—great for nets and ragchews.
- With low geomagnetic activity, try CW and digital modes (FT8, RTTY) for weak-signal work and maximizing DX.
- For VHF/UHF, expect normal tropo conditions; aurora and E-skip are unlikely today.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Time (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–08:00 | Nighttime, local/regional |
| 40m | 18:00–10:00 | Night, early morning DX |
| 20m | 10:00–20:00 | Daytime, long-haul DX |
| 17m | 11:00–19:00 | Late morning/afternoon DX |
| 15m | 12:00–18:00 | Early afternoon, some DX |
| 12m | 13:00–17:00 | Brief midday openings |
| 10m | 13:00–16:00 | Watch for short E/F2 bursts |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Daytime grayline: Excellent chance for long-path DX on 20m and 17m at sunrise/sunset.
- Nighttime: 40m and 80m will support transcontinental and some intercontinental paths.
- No aurora or polar path disruptions expected; high-latitude DX should be stable.
- No major solar events—expect consistent propagation for contesting or chasing rare DX.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟢 Excellent | 🟢 Excellent |
| 20m | 🟢 Excellent | 🟢 Excellent | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent | 🟡 Good | 🔴 Poor |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
- 20m is the most reliable band throughout the day for worldwide DX.
- 17m and 15m are open for much of the day, with 17m slightly better for DX.
- 10m and 12m may offer brief openings, especially around local noon—monitor for sporadic E.
- 40m and 80m are best at night for regional and some DX contacts.
- Evening and night: focus on 40m and 80m; daytime: 20m, 17m, 15m.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0 — Very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal disturbances, best for stable HF propagation.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 136 — Above average, supports good F-layer propagation on 20m–10m.
- Sunspot Number: 78 — Moderate, enough for decent band openings but not peak cycle conditions.
- Space Weather: No major flares or storms reported; X-ray, solar wind, and particle data are quiet.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- Recent K-index trend: Flat at 0 for the past 24 hours—indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent disturbances or spikes—propagation is not being degraded by geomagnetic storms.
- *Expect continued quiet conditions unless a sudden solar event occurs.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: No significant X-ray flux detected—no risk of HF blackouts or sudden fadeouts.
- Solar Wind: Solar wind speed is low—no enhancement of geomagnetic activity or auroral propagation.
- Particle Environment: Electron and proton flux are at background levels—no radio blackout risk.
- Aurora Activity: No aurora expected—VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely for northern operators.
- Helium Line: No significant changes—solar activity trend is stable, supporting predictable HF conditions.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Historical solar flux: Has remained in the 120–138 range for the past 6 months, showing stable to slightly elevated solar activity.
- Sunspot numbers: Fluctuated between 77 and 101 recently, indicating moderate solar cycle phase—good for HF but not maximum peak conditions.
- No major dips or spikes in solar data, so propagation has been consistent.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- HF conditions: Expected to remain good to excellent on 20m–15m, with stable low-band performance at night.
- Geomagnetic activity: Should stay quiet (K-index forecast remains low), so no major disruptions anticipated.
- DX prospects: Continue to watch 20m and 17m for the best long-haul contacts, and monitor 10m/12m for surprise openings.
- No alerts or warnings: Enjoy the calm space weather—ideal for DXing, contesting, and experimenting with higher bands!