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 moderate to good thanks to a solar flux of 146 and a sunspot number of 133, both supporting reliable daytime and evening contacts on most bands. The K-index is low at 2, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbance to HF signals. Expect good performance on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, with 80m and 40m improving after sunset. 10m and 12m are showing only fair conditions during the day and are poor at night, so focus on lower bands for nighttime DX. No major space weather alerts are active, making this a solid day for both DX and regional contacts.

💡 Operator Tips

• Daytime: Prioritize 20m, 17m, and 15m for DX and intercontinental contacts; these bands are performing well.
• Evening/Night: Switch to 40m and 80m for regional and longer-haul contacts as D-layer absorption drops.
• Modes: Use FT8, CW, and SSB for best results; digital modes will help dig out weak signals, especially on marginal bands.
• Antennas: Vertical or directional antennas will maximize DX on higher bands; dipoles work well for lower bands at night.
• Contesting/DX: Take advantage of the quiet geomagnetic field for low-noise operation, especially during grayline periods.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Best from mid-morning through late afternoon; still good into the evening
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to early afternoon for openings; expect limited activity at night

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline paths are favorable for long-haul DX on 40m and 20m at sunrise and sunset.
• 20m and 17m offer the most consistent worldwide DX today, especially on east-west paths.
• 10m/12m: Watch for short-lived openings, especially to equatorial and southern latitudes.
• Aurora activity is minimal, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
• No major solar events or blackouts expected, so plan for stable conditions during contests or DXpeditions.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable bands all day and into the evening, supporting both DX and regional contacts.
• 80m and 40m are fair during the day but improve to good at night, making them ideal for late-evening and overnight operation.
• 12m and 10m are only fair during daylight and close down at night; try these bands for short, sporadic openings but don’t expect consistent DX.
• No bands are fully closed, but high bands are marginal at night.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field) – minimal HF disruption, low noise levels.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 146 (moderately high) – supports strong propagation on 20m-15m, occasional 10m/12m openings.
• Sunspot Number: 133 (healthy) – indicates ongoing solar activity, good for HF propagation.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at C1.2 is moderate but not blackout-inducing.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• Impact: Expect minimal fading or absorption, especially on higher bands. No geomagnetic storms or auroral activity affecting HF or VHF.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.2 (moderate) – unlikely to cause HF blackouts, but keep an eye out for any sudden increases.
• Solar Wind: 375.5 km/s – a moderate speed, not expected to drive geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron and proton flux not reported; no elevated levels detected, so no additional absorption or noise.
• Aurora Activity: Level 1 (very low) – auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 123.3 – stable, indicating no sudden solar activity changes.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a gradual decrease in solar flux from a high of 160 in December 2025 to around 125-146 currently, with sunspot numbers following a similar trend. This means propagation has softened slightly from the recent peak but remains above average for HF. The current solar numbers still support good band openings, especially on 20m-15m.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued moderate solar activity with solar flux and sunspot numbers holding steady.
• K-index is forecast to remain low, so geomagnetic conditions should stay quiet.
• Best bands: 20m, 17m, 15m for DX; 40m, 80m for nighttime regional contacts.
• No major space weather alerts anticipated; plan for stable conditions for contests, nets, and DXing.