Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation conditions are generally stable today, with a moderate solar flux of 147 and a sunspot number of 85. The K-index is low (1-2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbances. Expect good openings on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, while higher bands (12m, 10m) may be less reliable, especially at night. Lower bands (80m, 40m) will perform best after sunset. Operators should take advantage of the calm geomagnetic field for DX and reliable regional contacts.
💡 Operator Tips
- Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for daytime DX and reliable intercontinental contacts.
- 80m and 40m will be your go-to bands for nighttime and early morning local/regional QSOs.
- Try FT8, CW, and digital modes on higher bands (12m, 10m) to maximize weak signal performance, especially when SSB is marginal.
- With low geomagnetic activity, grayline paths are enhanced—work sunrise/sunset for best DX.
- For VHF/UHF, expect typical conditions; no significant auroral or sporadic-E activity anticipated.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning; fair during the day.
- 20m, 17m, 15m: Good throughout the day and into the evening.
- 12m & 10m: Fair during midday; poor at night.
- Grayline (sunrise/sunset): Enhanced DX on all bands, especially 40m–20m.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline openings: Watch for enhanced propagation to antipodal regions at sunrise and sunset, especially on 40m and 20m.
- 20m, 17m, 15m: Good potential for trans-equatorial and east-west DX paths.
- 10m & 12m: Limited openings possible during local noon, especially for north-south paths.
- No significant auroral or polar path enhancement expected due to low K-index and aurora levels.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are currently the most reliable for both daytime and evening operation, offering consistent regional and DX opportunities. 80m and 40m are best at night, with fair conditions during daylight hours. 12m and 10m may offer short-lived openings around midday but are generally poor at night—use digital modes for best results.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 1 (very quiet) – Indicates low geomagnetic disturbance, excellent for HF propagation.
- Solar Flux: 147 – Moderate, supporting good MUF for 20m–15m and occasional 12m/10m openings.
- Sunspot Number: 85 – Moderate, enough for decent propagation but slightly down from recent months.
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B9.1 is low, minimizing blackout risk.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has trended steadily downward over the past 24 hours, moving from values near 3 to a stable 1–2.
- This indicates improving and now very quiet geomagnetic conditions, ideal for HF and DX work.
- No geomagnetic storms or sudden disturbances are expected in the near term.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B9.1 (low)—No risk of HF blackouts; stable D-layer absorption.
- Solar Wind: 350.5 km/s—A moderate and steady solar wind, not likely to trigger geomagnetic activity.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux 3570, Proton flux 17—Normal levels, no risk of radio blackouts or polar cap absorption.
- Aurora Activity: 2 (very low)—No auroral propagation expected; VHF/UHF paths remain typical.
- Helium Line: 130.2—Stable, indicating no significant solar upturn or flare risk.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
Recent months show a gradual decline in both solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 into early 2026. While still moderate, this trend means slightly lower MUFs and less frequent high-band openings compared to peak months. Operators should expect 20m–15m to remain strong, but 12m/10m will become more sporadic as solar activity tapers.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index 1–2) and moderate solar flux.
- 20m, 17m, and 15m will continue to offer the best reliability for DX and regional contacts.
- 80m/40m will remain strong at night.
- No alerts or warnings are currently in effect for HF or VHF/UHF operators.
- Monitor for any sudden solar events, but overall, the next three days look favorable for most HF activity.