Solar Conditions & Ham Radio Propagation

Solar Conditions & Ham Radio Propagation

Real-time NOAA SWPC data for contesters and HF operators

Live

80m-40m

3.5 - 7.3 MHz
Day Fair
Night Good

30m-20m

10.1 - 14.35 MHz
Day Good
Night Fair

17m-15m

18.068 - 21.45 MHz
Day Fair
Night Poor

12m-10m

24.89 - 29.7 MHz
Day Poor
Night Poor
Sunspot Number
91.6
Derived from number of sunspots and groups.
Solar Flux
120.0
10.7 cm flux. Higher usually helps the higher HF bands.
Geomagnetic Storm
No data
Based mainly on planetary Kp index.
Solar Wind
358.6 km/s
Higher values can raise geomagnetic activity and noise.
Noise Floor
S0-S1
Simple ham-oriented interpretation from Kp, X-ray and solar wind.
A-Index (derived)
3
Uses NOAA A/ap value when available, otherwise a Kp-based approximation.
Kp-Index
No data
Lower is usually better for stable HF propagation.
X-Ray
C1.3
Large flares can degrade HF on the sunlit side.
304 Å Value
No data
GOES EUVS 30.4 nm proxy where available.
Proton Flux
0.1
Charged proton activity from GOES data.
Electron Flux
269.5
Charged electron activity from GOES data.

Quick reading

20 m and 15 m should be the most reliable daytime contest bands; minor flare activity is present but should usually be manageable.

Updated: 12 May 2026 04:55 UTC