Amateur Radio Propagation Report

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 very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is at 101, with a sunspot number of 64, both slightly below recent averages, resulting in good conditions on the lower bands (80m–20m) and fair to poor conditions on the higher bands (17m–10m). The K-index is at 0, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbance. DX opportunities will be best on 20m and 40m, especially during local sunrise and sunset. Operators should focus on the lower bands for reliable contacts and watch for brief higher band openings during peak daylight.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m and 40m for daytime and evening DX; these bands are currently the most reliable.
• 80m and 40m will provide strong local and regional coverage, especially at night.
• 17m and 15m may offer occasional fair openings, so check these bands around midday.
• 12m and 10m are mostly poor—try only during local noon or if you spot sudden band openings.
• Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) to take advantage of marginal conditions, especially on higher bands.
• For DX, focus on grayline times (sunrise/sunset) and monitor cluster spots for short-lived band enhancements.
• Keep an eye on the aurora and solar wind data if you’re in northern latitudes, but VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely today.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for both local and regional contacts.
• 20m: Good all day, especially late morning through early evening for DX.
• 17m/15m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for possible fair openings.
• 12m/10m: Only worth checking around local noon; generally poor conditions.
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Enhanced long-path and DX on 40m and 20m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m and 40m: Best for intercontinental DX, especially along the grayline.
• 17m/15m: Watch for brief, sporadic openings—monitor DX clusters and be ready to call CQ.
• Grayline enhancement: Use sunrise/sunset for long-haul paths, especially east-west.
• No significant auroral activity: VHF/UHF DX via aurora is not expected.
• No major solar events: No risk of sudden HF blackouts or polar path absorption.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
The lower HF bands (80m, 40m, 20m) are performing best throughout the day and night, offering consistent good conditions for both local and DX work. 17m and 15m are fair and may support some daytime DX, especially for stations with good antennas. 12m and 10m are largely poor and unlikely to yield reliable contacts except for very short, sporadic openings.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0 — Extremely quiet geomagnetic field, ideal for stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 101 — Moderate, slightly below recent months, limiting higher band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 64 — Lower than average, correlating with reduced solar activity and fewer high-band opportunities.
• Space Weather Overview: No significant flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B2.8 (quiet), solar wind at 385 km/s (normal).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained at or near 0 for the past 24 hours, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances—propagation is stable and free from auroral absorption or polar path disruptions.
• These quiet conditions favor low noise levels and improved DX on all HF bands, especially the lower ones.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B2.8 — Low X-ray flux, meaning no risk of sudden HF blackouts or D-layer absorption.
• Solar Wind: 385.4 km/s — Normal speed, not expected to trigger geomagnetic activity.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2610 and proton flux at 12 — Typical background levels, no impact on HF propagation.
• Aurora Activity: 1 — Very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 101.1 — Indicates stable solar output with no major changes or upcoming flare activity.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a gradual decline in both solar flux and sunspot numbers since the late 2025 peak. Solar flux has dropped from 160 in December 2025 to 130 in March 2026, and sunspot numbers have similarly decreased. This trend explains the current weaker high-band conditions and the shift toward more reliable propagation on the lower HF bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• HF conditions will remain stable with quiet geomagnetic activity and moderate solar flux.
• Best bands: 20m, 40m, and 80m for both local and DX contacts.
• Worst bands: 12m and 10m, which are likely to remain poor.
• No alerts or warnings expected; continue to monitor for sudden solar events, but no major disturbances are forecast.
• Recommendations: Focus on lower HF bands, use digital modes for marginal conditions, and take advantage of grayline periods for DX. Keep an eye on solar data for any unexpected changes.