Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation today is shaped by moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions, with solar flux around 120 and a sunspot number near 79. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and night, while 80m and 40m are fair by day but improve at night. The higher bands (12m, 10m) are only fair during the day and poor at night. With a low K-index, minimal geomagnetic disturbance is present, so stable propagation is likely. Operators should focus on the mid-bands for reliable contacts and watch for brief DX openings on higher bands.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for the most consistent DX and regional contacts.
- 80m and 40m will be best after sunset—ideal for local and regional nets.
- Use FT8, CW, and other weak-signal modes on 12m and 10m to take advantage of any brief openings.
- With low geomagnetic activity, expect stable conditions—great for contests and scheduled nets.
- For DX, check grayline times on 20m and 17m; higher bands may open briefly during peak solar hours.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–06:00 | Nighttime best, local/regional comms |
| 40m | 19:00–07:00 | Night/early morning for low noise |
| 20m | 08:00–22:00 | All-day DX, especially around noon |
| 17m | 09:00–20:00 | Daytime DX, good for intercontinental |
| 15m | 10:00–18:00 | Daytime, possible DX |
| 12m | 12:00–16:00 | Short daytime openings, weak-signal |
| 10m | 13:00–15:00 | Brief midday openings possible |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m and 17m: Best for long-haul DX, especially during grayline (sunrise/sunset) periods.
- 15m: Watch for short-lived DX windows late morning to afternoon.
- 10m/12m: Sporadic-E possible midday—monitor for sudden band openings.
- Grayline: Enhanced propagation on low and mid bands during local sunrise/sunset.
- Aurora: Low activity, so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely today.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are your best bets for reliable contacts throughout the day and night, offering good propagation for both DX and regional QSOs. 80m and 40m are fair during daylight but improve to good after sunset—great for local and regional work. 12m and 10m are only fair during midday and close at night; use digital modes to maximize any brief openings.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field)—expect stable HF conditions, minimal auroral disturbance.
- Solar Flux: 133 (moderate)—supports good propagation on mid and some high bands.
- Sunspot Number: 86—sufficient for regular openings on 20–15m, but not enough for sustained 10m activity.
- Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances reported; X-ray flux at B9.1 indicates low solar flare risk.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent spikes or disturbances—propagation is stable and predictable.
- These conditions favor long-haul DX and minimize noise, especially on the lower bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B9.1 (low)—no risk of HF blackouts or sudden fadeouts.
- Solar Wind: 322.8 km/s—a calm solar wind, meaning little geomagnetic disruption.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1750 (moderate), proton flux at 13 (quiet)—no significant impact on HF propagation.
- Aurora Activity: Level 1—very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
- Helium Line: 123.8—stable, indicating no major solar changes imminent.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent months show a declining trend in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 into spring 2026.
- Solar flux dropped from 160+ in December to 120 now, and sunspots from 124 to 79.
- This trend means high bands (12m, 10m) are less reliable, while mid bands (20m–15m) remain strong for most paths.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect continued moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- 20m, 17m, and 15m will remain the most reliable for DX and general contacts.
- 10m and 12m may open briefly during peak solar hours, especially with sporadic-E, but are generally unreliable.
- No alerts or warnings are in effect—enjoy the stable bands and plan for evening and grayline operations for best results!