Propagation News – 14 June 2026

Last week we warned you about a potential geomagnetic disturbance caused by a triple coronal mass ejection, or CME, from the Sun. As it turned out, the Kp index rose to 6.33 and poor HF conditions ensued, just in time for RSGB National Field Day.

Luckily, Sunday 7 June wasn’t quite so bad, but it did show how a Kp index rise can damage HF propagation.

A further CME warning has since been cancelled, but we are not out of the woods just yet. A long-duration mid-level C-Flare was observed in the northeast quadrant of the Sun, peaking at just after midnight on Thursday 11 June. A CME with a possible Earth-directed component is possible, which could lead to a Kp index rise.

Meanwhile, the solar flux index declined to 124 on Thursday 11 June, as predicted, but that’s still enough for some DX potential.

Sporadic-E has been providing lots of entertainment, so make the most of it during June, which is one of the best months for Sporadic-E activity. Settled geomagnetic conditions, with a low Kp index, appear to provide the best time for Sporadic-E.

DX to be worked this week includes 5Z4/MM0ZBH in Kenya which is active until 15 June. The station has been spotted on the 10m band using FT8 and on the 20m band using CW and SSB. PJ2/PH2M is active from Curacao until 29 June using mainly FT8 and some SSB. D4OL from Cape Verde is active on FT8 and FT4 until Friday 22 June. Finally, look out for the FS/K9EL station from St Martin which is active until Wednesday 24 June.

While we are in this period of Summer thunderstorms, a reminder that it may be a good idea to unplug the antennas from your HF radios when not in use. But make sure you do this before any storm approaches!

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will be in the 120 to 130 range. Quiet geomagnetic conditions are forecast all week, with a maximum Kp index of 3. But be aware of CMEs which are not easily predicted. Any solar flare and subsequent CME could upset the apple cart, so keep an eye on solarham.com for up-to-date news.

VHF and up

There have been some very good Sporadic-E conditions recently. This was particularly true at 50MHz with openings at lunchtime and into the evening towards the USA on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June. There was also an opening into Japan during the morning of Thursday 11 June.

70MHz has seen openings, mainly to eastern Europe and Spain. Notably we haven’t seen much in the way of 144MHz Sporadic-E yet, but QSOs have been made by a lucky few. All this Sporadic-E activity has probably been aided by the extra long-lived metallic ions from meteors of the daytime Arietids, an important shower in early June.

The other ingredient often associated with Sporadic-E is the presence of jet streams, which are very effective at generating turbulence that can propagate up to the E region and aid Sporadic-E formation. The coming week looks to be reasonably set up with jet stream activity. This is probably more relevant for the northern half of Europe so may favour Scandinavia and the Baltic, with the occasional opportunity farther south.

As for meteor scatter, there is a gap in the calendar and it’s probably a case of relying upon random activity which tends to peak around dawn. Rain scatter may fare better with a chance of showers, especially in northern parts of the country. The solar conditions have recently been at the low end of the scale, with a Kp index between 1 and 3 which is typical of high summer. This also reduces the chances of radio auroras.

There will be a period of high pressure today, 14 June, before low pressure returns to northern Britain next week, although the south may stay close to higher pressure. This offers a chance of some tropo conditions.

EME now, and Moon declination continues to increase to a maximum tomorrow, 15 June, with path losses falling towards minimum at perigee. 144MHz sky temperature is moderate, becoming high tomorrow, 15 June, with the Sun close to the Moon, before falling back to low again from Wednesday.

Category: GB2RS Propagation News