Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is shaped by a moderate solar flux of 159 and a sunspot number of 133, supporting solid daytime activity on the higher bands. With a very low K-index of 1 and minimal geomagnetic disturbance, expect generally stable conditions with low noise and little fading. Daytime will favor bands from 20m up to 10m, while nighttime brings improved performance on the lower bands (80m/40m). No major space weather alerts are active, so operators can expect reliable contacts, especially on the higher HF bands during daylight. Take advantage of the current quiet geomagnetic field for DX and contesting!

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and intercontinental contacts.
• 10m and 12m are open during the day—try SSB, CW, and FT8 for long-haul paths.
• At night, shift to 40m and 80m for regional and some DX work.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4) will help pull signals through during marginal conditions, especially on higher bands.
• With low geomagnetic activity, expect less QSB and quieter bands—great for weak-signal work and portable operations.
• For VHF/UHF: Aurora is low, so no auroral propagation expected; focus on tropo or local contacts.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best after sunset through early morning (nighttime).
• 20m/17m/15m: Peak from mid-morning to late afternoon.
• 12m/10m: Open from late morning to mid-afternoon; check for sporadic E openings.
• 30m: Good around the clock, especially for digital/CW.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Daytime: Excellent chances for trans-equatorial and east-west DX on 20m–10m.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m/30m/20m at sunrise and sunset—target distant continents along the terminator.
• Evening/Night: Look for long-path openings on 40m and 80m.
• Special Events: No major solar storms or aurora—expect stable, predictable DX windows.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m, 17m, 15m are the most reliable bands throughout the day and into the evening—ideal for DX and contesting.
• 12m and 10m are open during daylight but fade quickly after sunset; check for sporadic E.
• 80m and 40m are poor during the day but become good choices after dark for regional and some DX.
• 30m remains consistently good and is a solid choice for digital and CW operators.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet geomagnetic field; minimal disturbances, low noise)
• Solar Flux: 159 (supports strong F-layer ionization, especially for 20m–10m)
• Sunspot Number: 133 (high enough for robust HF propagation, especially on higher bands)
• Space Weather: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at C1.2 (minor, but keep an eye on sudden changes)

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating calm geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances; expect steady propagation with minimal fading or absorption.
• These conditions favor long-haul DX and weak-signal work, especially on higher bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.2 (minor flare activity; no significant HF blackouts expected)
• Solar Wind: 404.6 km/s (moderate; not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms)
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1720 (slightly elevated, but not at levels that cause major absorption)
• Aurora Activity: Index 2 (very low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected)
• Helium Line: 120.2 (stable; no major solar trend shifts detected)

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past several months, both solar flux and sunspot numbers have gradually declined from their late-2025 peaks, but remain at levels that support good HF propagation.
• The current solar flux (120–159) and sunspot numbers (79–133) are still favorable for daily DX, especially on 20m–10m.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms have disrupted conditions recently.

🔮 3-Day Forecast