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📋 Propagation Summary
Today’s HF propagation is shaped by moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions following a recent period of storminess. The solar flux is at 128 and the sunspot number is 113, supporting decent daytime and evening propagation on most bands. The K-index has settled to 2-3 after a geomagnetic storm, so expect improved band stability and less fading compared to the last 48 hours. 20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable bands for daytime DX, while 40m and 80m will shine at night. Higher bands (12m/10m) are only fair during the day and likely closed at night. Watch for enhanced grayline openings and take advantage of the quieter geomagnetic field for longer contacts.
💡 Operator Tips
- Daytime: Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and regional contacts. Use FT8 and CW for best reach, especially on marginal bands.
- Nighttime: Switch to 40m and 80m for strong regional and some DX paths; SSB and digital modes will perform well.
- High Bands: Try 10m and 12m during local noon for possible short openings, especially if you’re in southern latitudes.
- Antennas: Use resonant antennas and keep noise levels low—recent geomagnetic storms may have left some lingering QRN.
- Contesting/DX: Take advantage of improved conditions after the storm; check for rare DX on 15m and 20m around sunrise/sunset.
- VHF/UHF: No major aurora or E-skip expected, but monitor 6m for surprise openings.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Time (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00 – 08:00 | Excellent at night, fair by day |
| 40m | 18:00 – 09:00 | Good at night, fair by day |
| 20m | 10:00 – 20:00 | Good all day, some night openings |
| 17m | 11:00 – 19:00 | Good daytime DX |
| 15m | 12:00 – 18:00 | Good daytime, check for DX peaks |
| 12m | 13:00 – 17:00 | Fair, short daytime openings |
| 10m | 14:00 – 16:00 | Fair, brief midday chances |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m during sunrise/sunset—watch for long-path DX.
- 20m/17m: Openings to Europe, Africa, and South America expected late morning to early afternoon UTC.
- 15m: Look for sporadic DX, especially to equatorial and southern regions.
- 10m/12m: Brief F-layer openings possible around local noon—check for beacons and FT8 activity.
- No major aurora—VHF/UHF DX unlikely, but monitor for any surprise events.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
20m, 17m, and 15m are the most consistent bands throughout the day, offering good conditions for both local and DX contacts. 40m and 80m are best at night and early morning, with excellent regional and some long-haul potential. 10m and 12m are only fair during the day and likely closed or poor at night—try digital modes for any chance of DX. For the best results, operate on 20m–15m during daylight and 40m–80m after dark.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 2–3 (low geomagnetic activity) – Bands are stabilizing after recent storms; less fading and noise.
- Solar Flux: 128 (moderate) – Supports good propagation on 20m–15m, with some openings on higher bands.
- Sunspot Number: 113 (moderate) – Indicates active sun, helping sustain F-layer ionization for HF.
- Space Weather: No major flares or radio blackouts; X-ray at B9.8 (quiet), so expect minimal shortwave fadeouts.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
The K-index spiked to 6–7 (major storm) on March 22, causing significant HF disruption, but has since dropped to 2–3 and is now stable. This trend means band conditions are recovering, with less auroral absorption and improved signal reliability. Expect continued improvement unless another disturbance arrives.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B9.8 (low) – No significant HF blackouts; normal propagation.
- Solar Wind: 528 km/s (moderately elevated) – Slightly increased, but not enough to trigger new geomagnetic storms.
- Electron Flux: 2250 – Elevated, which can cause minor polar absorption but not a major concern for most users.
- Proton Flux: 63 – Quiet; no solar radiation storm effects.
- Aurora: 2 (very low) – No auroral propagation expected; VHF/UHF bands remain normal.
- Helium Line: 115.3 – Indicates steady solar activity; no major upswings or drops.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
Recent months show a gradual decrease in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 into early 2026, but values remain in a range that supports good HF propagation. The recent geomagnetic storm briefly degraded conditions, but the current trend is positive, with bands returning to normal.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- HF: Expect continued good conditions on 20m–15m, with 40m and 80m strong at night. 10m/12m will remain marginal except for brief daytime openings.
- Geomagnetic: K-index likely to remain low (2–3), supporting stable propagation.
- VHF/UHF: No auroral or E-skip activity expected.
- Recommendations: Focus on 20m–15m for DX during the day and 40m–80m at night. Monitor for grayline enhancements and check higher bands for any surprise openings. No alerts or warnings at this time—enjoy the improved conditions!