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 and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is 97 and sunspot numbers are low at 37, so expect limited high-band openings (12m/10m), but solid performance on the lower and mid bands (80m–20m). With the K-index at 1 and no significant geomagnetic disturbances, noise levels will be low and local and regional contacts should be easy. DX is possible on 20m, especially during daylight and grayline, but higher bands will be challenging. Focus on digital modes and CW for best results, and watch for brief band enhancements around sunrise and sunset.

💡 Operator Tips:

• Use 20m during the day for the best chance at DX and reliable regional contacts.
• 80m and 40m are your go-to bands for night-time and early morning operation.
• Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) and CW will outperform SSB, especially on marginal bands.
• Keep antennas low-noise and check for local QRM, as quiet geomagnetic conditions mean atmospheric noise may dominate.
• For contesters: focus on 40m and 20m for rate, and check 17m/15m for short openings.
• Portable and QRP ops: take advantage of low K-index for stable, low-noise conditions.

⏰ Best Operating Times

80m and 40m are excellent at night and early morning, ideal for local and regional QSOs. 20m is good throughout the day and evening for both regional and some DX, but fades at night. 17m and 15m are only fair and may support short-haul or sporadic-E contacts. 12m and 10m are mostly closed—check only during strong solar events or for sporadic-E.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m offers the best shot at DX, especially along the grayline (sunrise/sunset).
• 40m and 80m may support long-haul DX at local sunrise/sunset, especially toward the terminator.
• 15m/17m: Watch for brief, weak openings midday, especially on north-south paths.
• Grayline enhancement: Focus on 40m and 20m during your local sunrise and sunset for best long-path DX.
• No significant aurora or polar path openings expected; VHF aurora is not likely.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• Best bands: 80m and 40m at night and early morning, 20m during the day and evening.
• Marginal bands: 17m and 15m may open for short-haul or sporadic-E, but expect mostly fair conditions.
• Poor/closed bands: 12m and 10m are largely closed due to low solar flux and sunspot numbers.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet) — indicates minimal geomagnetic disturbance, so expect stable propagation and low noise.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 97 — on the low side, which limits high-band (12m/10m) propagation.
• Sunspot Number: 37 — low, further reducing high-band openings and overall ionization.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has been stable and low over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes. This means geomagnetic conditions are quiet, favoring low noise and stable propagation, especially on lower HF bands.
• No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances detected.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B3.5 (low) — indicates no risk of HF blackouts from solar flares.
• Solar Wind Speed: 410.5 km/s — moderate, but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 2480, Proton flux 14 — both are quiet, so no unusual absorption or polar cap absorption events.
• Aurora Activity: 1 — very low, so no auroral propagation expected on HF or VHF.
• Helium Line: 108.0 — consistent with current solar flux, showing no major uptrend in solar activity.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Solar flux and sunspot numbers have been declining steadily since early 2026, with a notable drop from May (SF 125, SSN 101) to October (SF 108, SSN 45).
• This downward trend means high bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are less likely to open, while lower bands remain reliable.
• No recent solar events to boost short-term propagation.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (low K-index), so stable propagation on 80m–20m.
• No significant solar events forecast; high bands (12m/10m) will remain mostly closed.
• Best opportunities will continue to be on 20m during the day and 40m/80m at night.
• Watch for grayline DX on 20m and 40m.
• No alerts or warnings for amateur radio operators at this time.