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 with a solar flux of 109 and a sunspot number of 90. The K-index is very low (0-1), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and stable bands, especially for lower frequencies. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and evening, while higher bands (12m/10m) remain mostly closed or poor. Operators should focus on the traditional DX bands (20m, 40m, 80m) for reliable contacts, with the best results during local evening and night. Minimal geomagnetic disturbance means low noise and steady signals—ideal for both DX and regional QSOs.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Prioritize 20m for daytime DX and reliable coverage.
- 40m and 80m will shine after sunset; try these for night-time regional and some DX contacts.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) if you want to catch any sporadic openings.
- With low geomagnetic activity, verticals and dipoles will perform well—no need for high-gain arrays today.
- For contesters: focus on 20m/40m for rate, and check 17m/15m for surprise openings.
- Monitor the grayline for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 80m.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC/local) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | Night, early morning | Strong NVIS and regional; some DX |
| 40m | Evening, night, sunrise | Good for both regional and DX |
| 20m | Late morning to sunset | Best for daytime DX |
| 17m | Midday to late afternoon | Occasional openings, mostly fair |
| 15m | Midday | Fair, digital modes may help |
| 12m | Rare midday openings | Mostly poor, try FT8 |
| 10m | Rare, midday only | Poor, check for brief E-skip |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m is your primary DX band today, with stable long-path and short-path openings.
- 40m and 80m offer grayline DX at sunrise and sunset—watch for enhanced signals to antipodal regions.
- 15m/17m may open briefly to equatorial and southern latitudes around local noon.
- Grayline enhancement: Especially strong on 40m/80m—plan for sunrise/sunset skeds.
- No significant auroral or polar path enhancement expected due to low K-index and aurora levels.
📻 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 | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
- Best bands today: 20m is consistently 🟡 Good all day and evening, making it the top choice for both DX and reliable QSOs. 40m and 80m improve to 🟡 Good after sunset, great for regional and some DX.
- Challenging bands: 12m and 10m are 🔴 Poor throughout—use digital modes if you want to try for rare openings, but don't expect much.
- 17m and 15m are 🟠 Fair—worth checking midday, especially for digital mode enthusiasts.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0-1 (Very Low) — Indicates very quiet geomagnetic conditions, minimal noise, and stable HF propagation.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 109 — Moderate, supporting good propagation on 20m and below; higher bands less likely to open.
- Sunspot Number: 90 — Moderate, enough for reliable propagation on 20m and some activity on 17m/15m.
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B3.6 (quiet), and solar wind is moderate.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained very low and stable over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes or disturbances.
- This trend means quiet geomagnetic conditions, resulting in low noise and stable propagation on all HF bands.
- No geomagnetic storms or auroral activity expected—excellent for long-haul and polar path QSOs.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.6 (very low)—No risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
- Solar Wind: 450.8 km/s—Moderate, but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms or major band disruptions.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 3140 and proton flux at 258—Both are within normal ranges, so no unusual absorption or noise.
- Aurora Activity: 2 (very low)—No auroral propagation on VHF/UHF; northern operators will not see aurora-related enhancements.
- Helium Line: 112.9—Stable, indicating no sudden changes in solar activity trends.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the last several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have trended slightly downward after peaking in early summer. This is reflected in slightly reduced high-band activity.
- Despite the decline, flux and sunspot levels remain moderate, supporting good conditions on 20m and below.
- No recent major solar events or geomagnetic storms—propagation has been stable.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index 0-1) and moderate solar activity.
- 20m will remain the most reliable HF band for DX and general operation.
- 40m/80m will continue to improve after sunset for regional and some long-haul QSOs.
- 12m/10m will likely remain closed or poor; check for brief E-skip, but don't expect sustained openings.
- No alerts or warnings—enjoy stable, low-noise operating conditions!