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 moderately favorable, with solar flux at 123 and a sunspot number of 93, supporting decent daytime and nighttime activity on most bands. Geomagnetic conditions are quiet (K-index at 2), meaning minimal disturbances and stable propagation, especially for mid- and lower-frequency bands. Higher bands (12m, 10m) are only fair during the day and tend to close at night, while 20m and 40m remain reliable for both local and DX contacts. Operators should expect the best results on 20m and 40m, with occasional openings on 15m and 17m during daylight. Keep an eye on space weather updates, but no major disruptions are expected in the immediate term.

💡 Operator Tips

• Focus on 20m and 40m for consistent contacts throughout the day and night.
• Use FT8, CW, and other weak-signal modes on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) to take advantage of marginal openings.
• For DX, try grayline times (sunrise/sunset) on 40m and 20m for enhanced long-path propagation.
• Adjust antennas for lower takeoff angles on higher bands to maximize DX potential.
• Monitor real-time cluster spots and be ready to switch bands quickly if a higher band opens unexpectedly.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning for local and regional contacts; fair during the day.
• 20m: Good all day and night; prime for DX during daylight and grayline.
• 17m & 15m: Fair during daylight; limited at night.
• 12m & 10m: Fair during the day, especially around local noon; generally poor or closed at night.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—target sunrise/sunset for best long-haul DX.
• 20m offers the most reliable global coverage, with good east-west and north-south paths.
• Watch for short-lived openings on 15m and 17m, especially toward equatorial and southern hemisphere locations.
• Aurora activity is very low, so polar paths are open and stable.
• No major solar events or warnings, so expect stable conditions for contesting and DXpeditions.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
20m is the most reliable band for both day and night operations, supporting both local and DX contacts. 40m and 80m are good choices for nighttime and early morning, especially for regional QSOs. 17m and 15m offer fair conditions during daylight but may not support long-haul DX. 12m and 10m are marginal—try these bands during peak solar hours, but expect them to close after sunset.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet) — Indicates low geomagnetic activity, supporting stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux: 123 — Moderate level, enough to keep 20m and 17m open and occasionally support 15m/12m.
• Sunspot Number: 93 — Healthy for mid-band activity; supports decent propagation but not peak-cycle conditions.
• Space Weather Overview: No major solar flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B7.2 (quiet), solar wind at 445.7 km/s (moderate), and aurora index at 1 (very low).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating no recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances.
• Quiet geomagnetic conditions mean minimal absorption and good propagation, especially on 40m and 20m.
• No alerts or warnings for increased geomagnetic activity—conditions are steady and favorable for HF.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B7.2 — Low-level X-ray flux, meaning no risk of HF blackouts.
• Solar Wind: 445.7 km/s — Moderate but not elevated; unlikely to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 2230, Proton flux 402 — Both values are within normal ranges, so no unusual D-layer absorption or polar cap absorption events expected.
• Aurora Activity: 1 — Very low; VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected.
• Helium Line: 112.6 — Indicates moderate solar activity; no trend toward major flare activity.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a declining trend in both solar flux and sunspot numbers, from a peak in early summer (solar flux ~138, SSN ~101) to current moderate levels (solar flux ~105, SSN ~60). This gradual decrease means HF conditions are still decent but not as robust as earlier in the year, especially on higher bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued moderate solar activity with stable geomagnetic conditions.
• 20m and 40m will remain the most reliable bands for both local and DX work.
• 15m, 12m, and 10m may see brief daytime openings, especially if solar flux ticks upward.
• No significant space weather events or warnings are forecast—enjoy stable HF conditions for contesting, DXing, and casual QSOs.