Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary:
Today’s HF propagation is shaped by moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is holding at 138, with a sunspot number of 94—both slightly below recent peaks but still supportive of decent daytime propagation. The K-index is at 0-1, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbances. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, with 80m and 40m performing best after sunset. Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are mostly poor, so focus your efforts on the lower and mid bands for reliable contacts. Take advantage of the quiet geomagnetic field for DX and low-noise operation.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m for daytime DX—it’s the most reliable band today.
• Switch to 40m and 80m after dark for strong regional and some DX contacts.
• Use FT8, CW, and digital modes on higher bands (15m/12m/10m) to maximize weak signal opportunities.
• Vertical antennas and low-noise receiving setups will help on 80m/40m, especially with the quiet geomagnetic field.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced long-path and trans-equatorial openings, especially on 20m and 40m.
• Contesters: Stick to 20m/40m for rate, and check 17m for occasional surprises.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning (local sunrise/sunset)
• 20m: Good all day and night
• 17m/15m: Fair during midday and early afternoon
• 12m/10m: Poor all day; check only during peak solar hours (late morning/early afternoon)

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m: Worldwide DX possible all day, especially along grayline paths.
• 40m: Nighttime DX into sunrise/sunset zones—watch for transcontinental openings.
• 17m/15m: Limited DX, but possible to southern/equatorial regions around local noon.
• Grayline enhancement: Best on 40m and 20m—watch for short, strong openings to antipodal regions.
• **No significant aurora or polar path disruptions_—northern paths are open.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m is the most reliable band for both local and DX contacts at any time.
• 40m and 80m shine at night for regional and some international QSOs.
• 17m and 15m offer occasional fair openings during daylight, especially for north-south paths.
• 12m and 10m are largely closed—try only during peak solar hours or for sporadic-E.
• DXers should focus on 20m for all-day action and 40m/80m for night paths.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0-1 (Very Low)
  • Indicates quiet geomagnetic field—minimal auroral or polar absorption, low noise.
• Solar Flux (F10.7cm): 138
  • Moderate—supports good propagation on 20m and lower, marginal on 15m and above.
• Sunspot Number: 94
  • Moderate—enough for stable MUF but not high enough for consistent 10m/12m openings.
• Space Weather:
  • No major flares or disturbances reported.
  • X-ray flux at B6.4—quiet, no risk of HF blackouts.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable at 0-1 over the past 24 hours.
• Impacts:
  • Excellent conditions for low-band operation (80m/40m) due to low absorption and noise.
  • No geomagnetic storms or auroral activity—DX paths, especially polar, are open and reliable.
  • Expect continued quiet conditions unless a sudden solar event occurs.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity:
  • B6.4 level—very quiet, no risk of sudden HF blackouts.
• Solar Wind Speed:
  • 390 km/s—near average, not likely to trigger geomagnetic disturbances.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron flux: 1200—normal, no significant impact on propagation.
  • Proton flux: 13—quiet, no polar cap absorption events.
• Aurora Activity:
  • Level 1 (very low)—no auroral impact, VHF/UHF aurora unlikely.
• Helium Line:
  • 111.0—stable, indicating no significant solar changes imminent.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Historical Solar Flux:
  • Peaked at 151 in January, dipped to 120 in April, now rebounding to 138 in June/July.
  • Sunspot numbers have followed a similar trend, peaking last year and now moderate.
• Implications:
  • Current conditions are slightly below recent highs, but still support good HF propagation, especially on 20m and below.
  • No major downward trend—expect stable conditions unless a new solar event occurs.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Solar and geomagnetic activity expected to remain quiet and stable.
• HF propagation will continue to favor 20m and lower bands.
• No significant space weather alerts or warnings at this time.
• Operators:
  • Plan for reliable operation on 20m/40m/80m; check higher bands for short-lived openings but don’t expect much on 12m/10m.
  • Great time for DXing and contesting on the lower and mid bands!