Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary:
Today’s HF propagation is showing moderate to good conditions, with a solar flux of 126 and a sunspot number of 95—both supporting decent daytime openings on the higher bands. The K-index is low (2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and generally stable propagation, especially for mid-latitude operators. Expect good performance on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, while 10m and 12m may be more variable, especially at night. Lower bands (80m/40m) will perform best after sunset, with some daytime limitations. No major space weather alerts are in effect, so it’s a great day for both DX and regional contacts.
💡 Operator Tips
- Daytime: Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and intercontinental contacts.
- Nighttime: Switch to 40m and 80m for strong regional and some longer-haul contacts.
- Modes: Use FT8, CW, and SSB for best results; digital modes will help on marginal bands.
- Antennas: Multi-band verticals or dipoles will maximize your coverage; consider low-noise receive antennas for 80m/40m at night.
- Contesting/DX: Take advantage of low K-index for low-latency, stable paths—especially on east-west and north-south routes.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m/40m: Best after sunset and through the night; fair during the day.
- 20m/17m/15m: Good all day and into the evening; best for DX.
- 12m/10m: Try late morning through afternoon for possible openings; expect poor conditions at night.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline: Maximize DX at local sunrise/sunset on 40m and 20m.
- 20m/17m: Good for transatlantic and transpacific paths during daylight.
- 10m/12m: Watch for sporadic E or short-lived F-layer openings, especially around noon.
- Aurora: Low aurora index (2) means VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
- Special Events: No major solar events forecast—enjoy stable conditions for scheduled nets and contests.
📻 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 | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
The best bands today are 20m, 17m, and 15m, offering consistent good conditions from morning through night. 80m and 40m improve after sunset, making them ideal for nighttime operation. 12m and 10m may open during the day but will likely be poor or closed at night.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field)—expect stable HF propagation, minimal auroral disruption.
- Solar Flux: 126 (moderate)—supports reliable openings on 20m–15m, with occasional 10m/12m activity.
- Sunspot Number: 95—indicates ongoing solar activity, favorable for F-layer propagation.
- Space Weather: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at B9.6 (background level).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes.
- This trend means quiet geomagnetic conditions, favoring long-haul HF and minimizing absorption or fading.
- No geomagnetic storms or warnings are present—ideal for both DX and local operations.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B9.6 (low background)—no risk of HF blackouts; stable D-layer absorption.
- Solar Wind: 456 km/s—slightly elevated but not enough to trigger geomagnetic disturbances.
- Particle Environment:
- Electron Flux: 1790 (moderate)—no major impact on HF, but watch for possible minor absorption at polar paths.
- Proton Flux: 35 (quiet)—no risk of radio blackouts.
- Aurora: 2 (very low)—VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected.
- Helium Line: 109.6—indicates steady solar output, with no major upswings or flare activity.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux has gradually decreased from a peak near 138 (June) to the current 105–126 range.
- Sunspot numbers have also declined from over 100 to around 60–95, reflecting a moderate solar cycle phase.
- These trends suggest seasonal and solar cycle weakening of higher band propagation, but conditions remain good for 20m–15m and fair for 12m/10m.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Solar activity is expected to remain moderate, with no major flares or geomagnetic storms forecast.
- K-index should stay low, supporting stable HF propagation.
- Best bands: 20m, 17m, and 15m will continue to offer the most reliable DX and regional contacts.
- Watch 10m/12m for short-lived daytime openings, especially if solar flux ticks up.
- No alerts or warnings—enjoy steady conditions for contests, nets, and DX chasing!