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 shaped by moderate solar activity with a solar flux of 137 and a sunspot number of 100. Expect good conditions on the mid bands (20m, 17m, 15m) throughout the day and evening, while lower bands (80m, 40m) remain mostly poor except at night. Higher bands (12m, 10m) are only fair during daylight and close down after sunset. Geomagnetic activity is quiet (K=3), so there are no major disruptions expected. Operators should focus on daytime DX on 20m–15m and enjoy stable conditions for regional contacts.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for the best DX and general contacts, especially during daylight and early evening.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) on higher bands (12m, 10m) to take advantage of marginal propagation.
• Nighttime operation: 40m and 80m open up for local/regional QSOs after sunset—try SSB or CW for best results.
• Monitor solar and geomagnetic updates if planning long-haul DX, but expect stable conditions today.
• Verticals and directional antennas will help maximize DX potential, especially on the mid-high bands.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after sunset and through the night for local/regional contacts.
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Excellent from sunrise through late afternoon for both DX and regional work.
• 12m & 10m: Fair during late morning to mid-afternoon; limited DX possible, especially on digital modes.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Daylight hours: Look for east-west DX paths on 20m, 17m, and 15m, especially during grayline transitions.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation at sunrise/sunset on 40m and 20m—watch for short-lived DX openings.
• High bands: 10m and 12m may open briefly to equatorial and southern latitudes during peak solar hours.
• No aurora activity reported, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are the most reliable for both DX and regional contacts throughout the day and into the evening. 80m and 40m are mostly closed during the day but become usable for local contacts at night. 12m and 10m are marginal—try digital modes during daylight, but expect limited openings.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 (quiet) — Geomagnetic field is stable, minimal disturbance to HF propagation.
• Solar Flux: 137 — Indicates moderate solar activity, supporting good F-layer ionization for 20m–15m.
• Sunspot Number: 100 — Healthy sunspot count, helping to sustain higher band openings.
• Space Weather: No major flares or storms reported, but X-ray flux is elevated (C4.9).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, signaling quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances—propagation is generally unaffected by geomagnetic storms.
• Expect continued stability unless new solar events occur.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C4.9 — Moderate, but not high enough to cause HF blackouts; minor shortwave fadeouts possible on sunlit paths.
• Solar Wind: 427 km/s — Slightly above average, but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1790 and proton flux at 25 — Both are within typical ranges; no significant propagation impacts.
• Aurora Activity: No auroral activity reported, so no VHF/UHF aurora propagation expected.
• Helium Line: 126.6 — Indicates stable solar output; no major trend changes.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months have seen slightly rising solar flux (from 120 in April to 138 in June/July) and a modest recovery in sunspot numbers after a dip in early spring.
• This trend supports improved daytime propagation on 20m–15m and occasional openings on 12m/10m.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Stable solar and geomagnetic conditions expected for the next 3 days.
• 20m–15m will remain the best bands for both DX and local work.
• 10m/12m may see brief openings during peak solar hours, especially for digital modes.
• No alerts or warnings for HF or VHF operators at this time—enjoy the bands!