Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary:
HF propagation today is moderately favorable, with low geomagnetic activity and solar flux in the mid-120s. This means the lower bands (80m, 40m, 20m) will offer the most reliable contacts, especially during night and early morning. Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are less active due to lower sunspot numbers and solar flux, resulting in limited daytime openings. Stable geomagnetic conditions (very low K-index) mean less noise and better signal clarity, especially for DXers. For best results, focus on the 20m band during the day and 40m/80m at night.
💡 Operator Tips
- Prioritize 20m and 40m for daytime and evening DX; 20m remains the most consistent performer.
- 80m and 40m are your go-to bands for local and regional contacts after sunset.
- Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) will outperform SSB/CW on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) due to marginal conditions.
- Vertical or multi-band dipole antennas will maximize your chances on 20m and 40m.
- Monitor grayline periods for enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
- Keep an ear out for sporadic-E on 10m/6m, but expect limited activity today.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
- 20m: Good all day, especially late morning to early evening
- 17m/15m: Fair openings midday, but less reliable
- 12m/10m: Poor most of the day; check for brief midday or afternoon openings, especially during solar peaks
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline DX: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m around local sunrise and sunset. Target east-west paths during these times.
- 20m: Remains open for intercontinental DX most of the day; look for Pacific and Asian openings in the morning, Europe and Africa in the afternoon.
- 15m/17m: Occasional short-path DX possible midday, but expect weaker signals.
- Aurora: Low auroral activity means no special VHF/UHF aurora openings.
- No major solar events expected, so conditions are stable for planned DXpeditions and contests.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟢 Excellent | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟢 Excellent | 🟢 Excellent |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
The 20m band is the most reliable for both local and DX contacts throughout the day. 40m and 80m shine after sunset and into the night, ideal for both regional and some DX work. 15m and 17m may offer some midday openings but are generally only fair. 12m and 10m are mostly closed, with only rare, brief openings possible.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 1 (very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal noise and fading)
- Solar Flux: 113 (current), trending around 125-130 recently (moderate, not high enough for strong high-band openings)
- Sunspot Number: 73 (moderate, lower than recent months, limiting higher band propagation)
- Space Weather: No major flares; X-ray flux at B9.5 (quiet); solar wind at 393 km/s (average); aurora index at 1 (very low)
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained very low (0-1) over the past 24 hours, indicating stable geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances.
- This stability means low noise and steady propagation, especially beneficial for weak-signal and DX work on all bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B9.5 (quiet) – No risk of HF blackouts; the ionosphere is stable.
- Solar Wind: 393.5 km/s – Typical speed, no geomagnetic storm risk.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1730 (moderate); proton flux at 9 (quiet) – No significant impact on propagation.
- Aurora Activity: 1 (very low) – No auroral propagation expected on VHF/UHF.
- Helium Line: 118.6 – Indicates stable solar activity; no major upswings or flare threats.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent months show a gradual decrease in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 highs (160+ SFI, 120+ SSN) to current moderate levels (SFI ~125, SSN ~100).
- This trend means lower bands (80m, 40m, 20m) are more reliable, while high bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are less likely to open except during brief solar upticks.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Propagation will remain stable with low geomagnetic activity and moderate solar flux.
- No major solar or geomagnetic storms are forecasted.
- Expect similar band conditions: 20m and 40m will continue to be the best choices; 80m strong at night; 15m/17m fair at best; 12m/10m mostly poor.
- No alerts or warnings for HF or VHF operators. Continue to monitor for any sudden solar events, but stable conditions are expected to persist.