Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF radio conditions are generally favorable for most amateur bands, thanks to a solar flux around 140 and a sunspot number over 100. The K-index is at 0, meaning geomagnetic activity is very low and the bands are quiet, which is excellent for HF propagation. Expect good performance on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, with fair to good conditions on 80m and 40m at night. Higher bands (12m, 10m) are only fair during the day and poor at night, so focus your efforts on the mid-bands for best results. No major space weather disturbances are present, so take advantage of the stable conditions for DX and casual operating.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime and evening contacts, especially for DX.
• 80m and 40m will shine at night—great for regional and intercontinental QSOs.
• Use FT8, CW, or digital modes on higher bands (12m, 10m) to maximize weak signal work, as SSB may be challenging.
• With the K-index at 0, expect minimal noise and stable propagation—ideal for contests, nets, and DXpeditions.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Keep antennas and equipment ready for quick band changes as conditions can shift with solar activity.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Excellent from late morning through evening
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for any openings; expect limited activity at night

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is strong on 40m and 20m—work distant stations at sunrise and sunset.
• 20m and 17m are open for transcontinental DX most of the day; check for Pacific and Asian paths in the morning, Europe and Africa in the afternoon.
• 15m may support intercontinental DX during peak solar hours (late morning to early afternoon).
• 10m/12m: Watch for brief sporadic-E or F2 openings, especially during solar peaks or after minor geomagnetic disturbances.
• Aurora is low (index 1), so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• Best bands today: 20m, 17m, and 15m are consistently good from morning through night, making them the top choices for both DX and local contacts.
• 80m and 40m: Fair during daylight, but good at night—ideal for late-night ragchews and regional nets.
• 12m and 10m: Only fair during the day, poor at night—use digital modes and check for brief openings.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0 (very quiet) — minimal geomagnetic disturbance, excellent for stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 140 — supports strong ionization for 20m–15m, with some potential for 12m/10m.
• Sunspot Number: 102 — healthy level, sustaining good band openings.
• Space Weather: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at C1.3 (minor), so no HF blackouts expected.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained very low (at or near 0) over the past 24 hours, indicating stable and quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances—propagation is steady and reliable across all HF bands.
• These conditions favor long-haul DX and minimize noise/interference on the lower bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.3 — minor flare activity, no significant HF blackouts. Expect normal D-layer absorption.
• Solar Wind: 274.7 km/s — low speed, so geomagnetic field remains undisturbed, supporting stable propagation.
• Electron Flux: 7210 — moderate, can cause mild polar absorption but not significant at current levels.
• Proton Flux: 4800 — quiet, no radiation storm risk.
• Aurora: 1 — very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 125.2 — stable, indicating no sudden changes in solar activity.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past several months, solar flux has fluctuated between 120 and 151, with a recent upward trend to 138+. This supports improved high-band (15m, 12m, 10m) conditions compared to early spring.
• Sunspot numbers have stayed above 90, peaking at 115 in January and remaining strong—this is good news for HF operators, as higher sunspot numbers mean more reliable band openings.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Stable geomagnetic conditions are expected to continue, with the K-index likely to remain low.
• Solar flux should stay in the 135–145 range, keeping 20m–15m bands open for DX.
• No major solar storms or flares are forecast—enjoy the quiet bands!
• Best bands: 20m, 17m, 15m for all-day operation; 80m/40m for nighttime.
• Watch for brief 10m/12m openings during peak solar hours.
• No alerts or warnings—ideal time for contests, expeditions, and chasing new DX.