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 with a solar flux of 112 and a sunspot number of 124. Expect good conditions on 20m during the day and night, while 80m and 40m bands will be fair by day and good at night. Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are mostly fair to poor, so DX on those will be challenging. Geomagnetic activity is low (K-index 2), which is favorable for stable propagation, but the recent trend in solar flux and sunspots suggests we're in a slightly declining phase of the cycle. For best results, focus on the lower bands at night and 20m during daylight hours.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m for daytime DX; it's the most reliable band today.
• 80m and 40m will shine at night—great for regional and some DX contacts.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) can help you make QSOs on marginal bands like 15m and 17m.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced long-path opportunities, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Use low-noise antennas and check your receive filters for best results on noisy bands.
• Contesters: Focus efforts on 20m by day, 40m/80m by night for highest rates.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m: Excellent all day and into early evening
• 17m & 15m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for possible openings
• 12m & 10m: Limited, but check around local noon for short-lived openings

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline DX: Watch for enhanced paths around sunrise/sunset, especially on 40m and 20m.
• 20m: Best for intercontinental DX, especially east-west paths.
• 40m: Good for long-haul DX at local dawn/dusk and night.
• Aurora: Low activity (Aurora index 3), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
• No major solar events: No alerts for sudden ionospheric disturbances.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

20m is the standout performer for both day and night operations, offering the most consistent propagation. 80m and 40m are good at night and fair during the day—ideal for domestic and some DX. 17m and 15m are fair throughout the day, so try digital modes for best results. 12m and 10m are largely closed or poor, with only brief, sporadic openings possible.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (low geomagnetic activity)—favorable for stable HF conditions, minimal auroral disturbance.
• Solar Flux: 112 (moderate)—supports good propagation on 20m and below, but not enough for consistent 10m/12m openings.
• Sunspot Number: 124—healthy, but slightly lower than recent months, indicating a mild downward trend.
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances reported; X-ray flux at B5.2 (quiet).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes.
• Impact: Quiet geomagnetic field supports reliable HF propagation, especially on polar and high-latitude paths.
• No geomagnetic storms: No warnings or alerts active.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.2—very low, so risk of HF blackouts is minimal.
• Solar Wind: 428.8 km/s—moderate, but not enough to trigger geomagnetic disturbances.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1740 and proton flux at 11—both within normal range, so no significant impact on propagation.
• Aurora: Level 3—low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely for northern operators.
• Helium Line: 112.5—indicates moderate solar activity, no major trends up or down.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux: Slight decline from spring highs (~138) to current levels (~116), which means high bands (12m/10m) are less likely to open.
• Sunspot trend: Down from winter highs (124) to current (76-124), consistent with a mild downward phase in the solar cycle.
• Practical impact: Lower bands (80m-20m) remain reliable; higher bands require patience and digital modes.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation outlook: Expect similar conditions over the next three days—20m remains the best bet, 80m/40m good at night, 17m/15m fair, 12m/10m mostly poor.
• No major space weather events: No alerts or warnings expected.
• Operator advice: Continue to focus on 20m for DX, use digital modes on higher bands, and take advantage of quiet geomagnetic conditions for reliable operation.