Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is currently stable and favorable for most amateur operations, with low geomagnetic activity and a solar flux index of 120 supporting good conditions on the lower and mid bands. Sunspot numbers remain moderate, and the K-index is at a minimum, meaning noise and absorption are low and signals should be clean. Expect good performance on 80m–20m, with higher bands (17m–10m) offering fair daytime opportunities but closing at night. Take advantage of the quiet geomagnetic field for reliable regional and some DX contacts, especially during daylight hours.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m and 40m for daytime DX and reliable regional QSOs—these bands are performing well throughout the day and night.
• Try 80m and 40m at night for strong local and regional contacts; low noise levels will help even modest stations.
• Monitor 17m–10m during local noon and early afternoon for possible short-path DX, especially on 15m and 12m.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) on higher bands to maximize weak signal performance.
• Keep antennas low-noise and well-matched; with low K-index, even simple wire antennas will perform well.
• Check for grayline openings around sunrise/sunset for enhanced long-path DX, especially on 20m and 17m.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for local/regional; good daytime NVIS.
• 20m: Excellent from mid-morning through late afternoon for DX and intercontinental paths.
• 17m/15m: Fair during late morning to mid-afternoon, especially for north-south paths.
• 12m/10m: Fair around local noon; expect bands to close quickly after sunset.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is favorable—watch sunrise/sunset for enhanced DX, especially on 20m and 17m.
• 20m is the go-to band for intercontinental DX; expect stable signals on east-west and north-south paths.
• 15m and 12m may open briefly to equatorial and southern latitudes during peak daylight.
• Aurora activity is minimal, so polar paths are open and quiet—good news for northern operators.
• No major space weather events or alerts—enjoy stable conditions for contesting or award chasing.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
80m, 40m, and 20m are the most reliable bands all day and night, with consistently good conditions—ideal for both local and DX work. 17m and 15m offer fair conditions during daylight, with some potential for DX, especially on north-south paths. 12m and 10m are fair during the day but deteriorate quickly after sunset, so focus on these bands around noon for any openings. Nighttime operation on 12m/10m is not recommended due to poor conditions.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0 — Very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal absorption or auroral disturbance.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 120 — Moderate solar energy, supporting good HF propagation up to 20m and fair on higher bands.
• Sunspot Number: 105 (N0NBH) / 79 (NOAA) — Moderate sunspot activity, enough for reliable F-layer propagation.
• Space Weather: No significant flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B5.7 (low-level background).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable at or near zero over the past 24 hours, indicating no geomagnetic storms or disturbances.
• Impact: Excellent for HF—low absorption, minimal noise, and open polar paths. Expect stable propagation and low QRM.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.7 — Low-level background, no risk of HF blackouts or sudden fadeouts.
• Solar Wind: 376.7 km/s — Average speed, not likely to trigger geomagnetic activity.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2320 (moderate); proton flux at 10 (quiet)—no significant impact on HF.
• Aurora: 1 — Very low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected; polar HF paths remain open and quiet.
• Helium Line: 112.5 — Stable, indicating no major solar events or trend changes.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Historical Trends: Solar flux and sunspot numbers have declined gradually since late 2025, but remain in a moderate range. This supports continued good HF propagation, especially on 20m and below.
• Recent Months: Solar flux dropped from 160 in December to 120 now; sunspots from 124 to 79. While high-band conditions are less robust than last winter, the lower bands remain strong.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation Outlook: Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions and moderate solar activity. 80m–20m will remain reliable; 17m–10m will offer daytime opportunities, especially for digital modes and north-south DX.
• Recommendations: Focus on 20m for DX, 40m/80m for regional work, and check higher bands around local noon. No alerts or warnings—enjoy the stable bands!