Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is shaped by moderate solar activity (solar flux at 111, sunspot number 83) and very quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index at 0). Expect good performance on the lower and mid HF bands (80m–20m) throughout the day and night, with higher bands (12m, 10m) mostly underperforming. Stable space weather and low geomagnetic disturbance mean reliable regional and some DX contacts are possible, especially on 40m and 20m. Operators should focus on the lower bands for consistent results and watch for brief DX openings on 17m and 15m during daylight.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Prioritize 40m and 20m for both local and DX contacts—these bands are currently the most reliable.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31, RTTY) to maximize weak signal work, especially on 17m and 15m where conditions are only fair.
- For SSB and CW, stick to 80m–20m for best results; try 17m/15m during midday for possible short DX.
- Vertical antennas or dipoles at moderate height will perform well; consider using low-noise receive antennas for 80m/40m.
- With low K-index, expect minimal auroral or polar path disruptions—good news for contesters and DXers alike!
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–08:00 | Strong night performance, good for NVIS/regional |
| 40m | 18:00–10:00 | Excellent night/morning, solid evening DX |
| 20m | 10:00–20:00 | Daytime DX, reliable mid-distance |
| 17m | 12:00–18:00 | Shorter DX windows, check for midday openings |
| 15m | 13:00–17:00 | Occasional DX, especially on E/W paths |
| 12m/10m | 14:00–16:00 (spotty) | Limited, brief openings possible |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline paths on 40m and 20m are promising for long-haul DX at local sunrise/sunset.
- Watch for sporadic E or short-lived F2 openings on 17m and 15m around midday.
- Polar and high-latitude paths are open, with low aurora and K-index—try for rare northern DX.
- No major solar events or alerts, so plan for stable conditions—great for contests and scheduled nets.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 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 |
- 80m/40m/20m: Consistently good all day and night—ideal for both local and DX work.
- 17m/15m: Fair—try during midday for possible short/medium-haul DX, especially with digital modes.
- 12m/10m: Poor—skip these bands unless you spot a sudden opening or are chasing local contacts.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0 (🟢 Very quiet)—no geomagnetic disturbance, excellent for stable propagation.
- Solar Flux: 111 (🟡 Moderate)—supports good propagation on lower/mid bands, but not enough for reliable 10m/12m F2.
- Sunspot Number: 83 (🟡 Moderate)—sustains decent ionization, especially for 20m and below.
- Space Weather: No major flares; X-ray at B3.9 (low background), so no HF blackouts expected.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- K-index trend: Stable at 0 for the past 24 hours—very quiet geomagnetic field.
- No recent spikes or disturbances; conditions are improving compared to minor unsettled periods earlier in the week.
- Expect minimal absorption and no auroral disruptions—great for polar and trans-equatorial paths.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.9—very low, so no risk of sudden HF blackouts or D-layer absorption spikes.
- Solar Wind: 368.9 km/s—a typical, mild speed; not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux 3170, proton flux 485—both within normal ranges, so no enhanced absorption or polar cap issues.
- Aurora: Level 2—very low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected.
- Helium Line: 111.0—consistent with moderate solar activity, indicating stable solar output.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have gradually decreased from spring peaks (solar flux ~138, SSN ~94) to current moderate levels (solar flux ~116, SSN ~76).
- This trend means lower bands (80m–20m) remain reliable, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are less likely to open except during brief enhancements.
- No major solar events or geomagnetic storms have disrupted the ionosphere recently.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- HF bands (80m–20m) will continue to perform well, with stable geomagnetic conditions expected.
- 17m/15m may see brief improvements if solar flux ticks up, but generally remain fair.
- 12m/10m likely to stay poor—monitor for sudden solar upticks or sporadic E.
- No alerts or warnings—enjoy the stable conditions for contests, nets, and DX!