Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is looking solid for most operators today, thanks to a high solar flux of 168 and a healthy sunspot number of 134. Most HF bands from 20m through 10m are open and performing well during the day, with some evening and night drop-off on the higher bands. The K-index is at 3, indicating moderate geomagnetic activity, so expect some mild disturbances, especially at higher latitudes or during polar paths. Lower bands (80m/40m) are less favorable during the day but improve at night. For best results, focus on the upper HF bands during daylight and switch to 40m/80m after sunset. No major space weather alerts are active, but keep an ear out for brief blackouts due to ongoing C-class X-ray activity.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and intercontinental contacts.
• 10m and 12m are open during the day—great for long-haul DX and quick QSOs, especially with simple antennas.
• 80m and 40m are best reserved for local/regional contacts at night; expect daytime absorption.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4) will help you snag weak signals, especially on marginal bands.
• If contesting or chasing DX, target grayline periods for enhanced propagation.
• Keep an eye on the K-index—if it rises above 4, expect rapid changes, especially on polar and trans-equatorial paths.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• Morning/Day: 20m–10m are all good for DX and regional work.
• Evening/Night: 80m/40m improve for local and regional QSOs; higher bands start to fade.
• Grayline: All bands may show enhanced long-path openings—watch for surprises!

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Daytime: Excellent DX on 15m, 12m, and 10m—look for trans-equatorial and east-west openings.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 20m and 17m—target sunrise/sunset for rare DX.
• Night: 40m and 80m open up for intercontinental paths, especially on north-south routes.
• Aurora: Low auroral activity means polar paths are mostly stable.
• Watch for short-lived blackouts from C-class X-ray flares, especially on sunlit paths.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Currently, 20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable bands throughout the day and into the evening, offering consistent DX and regional contacts. 10m and 12m are also performing well during daylight, with some fading at night. 80m and 40m are best at night for local and regional work, but daytime absorption limits their usefulness during sunlight hours.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 (moderate) – Some geomagnetic activity, but not enough to cause major disruptions. Watch for short-term absorption, especially at higher latitudes.
• Solar Flux: 168 – High value, supporting strong F-layer ionization and good propagation on upper HF bands (20m–10m).
• Sunspot Number: 134 – Indicates an active sun, which is great for HF propagation.
• Space Weather Overview: Ongoing C-class X-ray activity (C1.5) may cause brief blackouts on sunlit paths, but overall solar conditions are favorable for HF.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

The K-index has been mostly low to moderate (0.3–3.3) over the past 24 hours, with a slight uptick in the last 6 hours. This trend suggests generally stable geomagnetic conditions, with only minor disturbances. No significant geomagnetic storms are present, so HF propagation remains mostly unaffected except for occasional mild absorption at high latitudes.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.5 level means moderate solar flare activity; brief HF blackouts are possible on the sunlit side.
• Solar Wind: 458 km/s is slightly elevated but not storm-level; may contribute to mild geomagnetic activity.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux (6980) and proton flux (248) are elevated but not extreme—watch for minor noise increases, especially on lower bands.
• Aurora Activity: 1 (very low)—no significant auroral propagation expected; polar paths should remain mostly stable.
• Helium Line: 140.6 indicates steady solar output, supporting ongoing good propagation on higher bands.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent solar flux and sunspot numbers have remained high and stable over the past several months, with only a slight dip in November. This trend supports continued strong propagation, especially on the upper HF bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued good propagation on 20m–10m, with only minor geomagnetic disturbances.
• Watch for brief HF blackouts during periods of increased X-ray activity.
• No major storms or aurora events are forecasted.
• Best bands: 20m, 17m, 15m (all day); 10m, 12m (daytime).
• Worst bands: 80m, 40m (daytime).
• Keep monitoring the K-index and solar data for any rapid changes.