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Solar conditions & HF propagation

Solar flux, geomagnetic activity and what they mean for the HF bands right now.

Data from HamQSL, NOAA SWPC, SILSO and PSK ReporterAdd live HF conditions to your site →

Right now

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Solar flux (SFI)

Sunspot number

A-index

K-index

X-ray flux

Flare level

Solar wind

km/s

nT (south is negative)

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Solar cycle 25

Started December 2019

Cycle Start Dec 2019

Expected Peak 2024-2025

Years Elapsed --

Cycle Phase --

Solar cycles average ~11 years. Cycle 25 is currently near or past its solar maximum, meaning excellent HF propagation conditions on higher bands.

Cycle 25 so far, and the forecast

Historical data + NOAA/NASA forecast

NOAA Prediction Observed Monthly Daily Readings Peak Window

Dec 2019

Cycle Start

Solar minimum - lowest activity

2024-2025
Solar Maximum
Peak activity - best HF conditions

~2030-2031

Next Minimum

Cycle 25 ends, Cycle 26 begins

Blue: NOAA/SWPC prediction curve. Yellow: observed monthly sunspot number (NOAA, updates monthly). Red: daily international sunspot number from SILSO/Royal Observatory of Belgium.

HF band conditions

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What does this mean for me?

In plain English

When is a GOOD time for HF radio?

High SFI (120+) + Low K-index (0-2) = Great conditions!

Higher bands (10m, 12m, 15m) will be open
DX (long distance) contacts are easier
Signals will be stronger and clearer

When is a BAD time for HF radio?

Low SFI (below 90) + High K-index (4+) = Rough conditions

Higher bands may be completely dead
Stick to 40m and 80m
Geomagnetic storms (K=5+) can wipe out HF entirely

What bands should I try RIGHT NOW?

Check the Band Conditions section below for current recommendations.

Why does the sun affect my radio?

The sun blasts UV radiation that ionizes Earth's upper atmosphere (ionosphere). This ionized layer acts like a mirror for radio waves, bouncing your signal around the world. More solar activity = better mirror = better propagation (usually). But solar storms can also disrupt everything.

Short version: SFI high and K low = good. SFI low and K high = bad. Cycle 25 is just past its peak, so the high bands are still worth checking.

Bands open near you

Live from PSK Reporter

Conditions near ...

What's a grid square? A Maidenhead grid (like EM13 or JO31) is how hams describe locations. Find yours at levinecentral.com.

What's being heard right now, from FT8/FT4 spots in the last 15 minutes:

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Data from PSKReporter by Philip Gladstone. Shows FT8/FT4 spots from the last 15 minutes. Updated every 5 minutes.

Where can you reach?

Active paths from your region based on current spots

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Band activity by hour

When are bands most active? (UTC)

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Based on PSKReporter spot density. Brighter = more activity.

Your region, last 24 hours

24-hour activity in your area

Last 24 hours of band activity in your grid region (UTC). NOW is at the right edge.
"Your region" = the 2-letter grid prefix (e.g., "EM" covers ~300 miles). Data is from stations in that area.

Activity by continent

Activity by continent (last 15 min)

One band, by continent

Select a band to see regional activity

Band trends, last 6 hours

Activity over the last 6 hours

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Solar flux, last 7 days

A-index, last 7 days

K-index, last 7 days

Understanding the numbers

Solar Flux Index (SFI)

Measures radio emissions from the sun at 2800 MHz. Higher = better HF propagation.

70-90	Poor
90-120	Fair
120-150	Good
150+	Excellent

K-Index

Measures geomagnetic disturbance. Lower = calmer, better for HF.

0-1	Quiet
2-3	Unsettled
4	Active
5+	Storm