Data: NOAA SWPC · NASA SDO · N0NBH · Auto-refreshes every 3 minutes

POTA Life Dashboard Guide

☀ Space Weather Dashboard Guide

How to read and use the POTA Life Dashboard for Amateur Radio field operations

The POTA Life Space Weather & HF Propagation Dashboard aggregates live data from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, and N0NBH's hamqsl.com — all in one place, updating automatically every three minutes. This guide explains each section of the dashboard and how to use it when planning or operating a Parks On The Air (POTA) activation.

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Live Data Ticker — Top Row

Updates every 3 min

The eight ticker panels at the top of the dashboard give you an at-a-glance snapshot of current space weather conditions. These are the most important numbers to check before and during a POTA activation.

Metric	What It Means	POTA Impact
Solar Flux (SFI)	Measures solar radio emissions at 10.7cm wavelength. The single best indicator of overall HF propagation quality.	80–100 Fair · 100–150 Good · 150+ Excellent DX
Sunspot # (SN)	Count of visible sunspot groups. More sunspots = more solar activity = better HF propagation on higher bands.	Above 100 generally means 10m–15m are open for long-distance contacts
A-Index	24-hour average geomagnetic activity. Lower is always better for HF.	0–7 Quiet · 8–15 Unsettled · 16+ Active/Disturbed
K-Index (Kp)	3-hour geomagnetic activity index. The most immediate indicator of current band disruption.	0–2 Excellent · 3–4 Fair · 5+ Storm — HF degraded
X-Ray Class	Current solar flare intensity from GOES satellite. Flares cause HF radio blackouts on the sunlit side of Earth.	A/B No impact · C Minor · M/X Possible blackout
Solar Wind	Speed of the solar wind reaching Earth. High speeds compress Earth's magnetosphere and degrade HF.	Below 400 Normal · 400–600 Elevated · 600+ Watch for storms
Bz (IMF)	North-South component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field. The single most important storm indicator. Negative = southward = storm risk.	Positive Low risk · -5 to 0 Watch · -10 or lower Storm likely
304Å / HeII	Solar EUV output that ionizes the F-layer — the layer responsible for long-distance HF propagation.	Higher values = stronger F-layer ionization = better DX on 10m–20m bands

✓ POTA Quick Check

Before heading to a park, scan the ticker. If SFI is above 100, Kp is below 3, and Bz is positive or near zero — you're in for a great activation!

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Space Weather Alert Banner

NOAA SWPC Live

When NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issues an active alert, watch, or warning, it appears as an amber banner directly below the dashboard header. This banner shows the most recent and most severe active alert.

If you see this banner: Read the alert text carefully. Common alerts include geomagnetic K-index warnings (G-scale storms), solar radiation storm alerts (S-scale), and radio blackout warnings (R-scale). Each directly affects your ability to make contacts in the field.

What Each Alert Type Means for POTA

R-Scale (Radio Blackout) — HF signals fade or disappear on the sunlit side of Earth. Higher bands (10m–15m) affected most severely.
S-Scale (Radiation Storm) — Increased particle flux degrades HF at polar routes. Aviation HF comms affected. POTA contacts at high latitudes may be difficult.
G-Scale (Geomagnetic Storm) — Disrupts F-layer propagation globally. Lower bands (40m–80m) become more reliable during storms. VHF aurora scatter may become possible.

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HF Band Conditions

N0NBH · Every 30 min

This table shows predicted propagation quality for each major HF band segment, for both daytime and nighttime conditions. Data comes from the N0NBH hamqsl.com XML feed, which applies empirical models to current solar and geomagnetic data.

Band	Frequencies	Daytime Characteristics	Nighttime Characteristics
80m – 40m	3.5–7 MHz	Regional skip (300–1500 km). D-layer absorption reduces long-distance paths.	Best for long-haul DX. F-layer supports transcontinental paths. POTA staple band at night.
30m – 20m	10–14 MHz	Excellent long-distance propagation. The most reliable POTA DX band during the day.	Good to fair depending on solar activity. 20m often stays open well past sunset.
17m – 15m	18–21 MHz	Good DX when SFI is above 100. Trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic paths open.	Closes earlier than 20m. Best in afternoon hours.
12m – 10m	24–28 MHz	Spectacular DX when open — worldwide contacts with low power. Solar cycle dependent.	Generally closed. Sporadic E openings possible in summer months.

Trend Arrow ↑

Conditions are improving — day vs night comparison shows the next period will be better than current.

Trend Arrow ↓

Conditions are degrading — plan your activation timing accordingly or choose a lower band.

POTA Band Selection Strategy

If 20m shows Good day conditions — lead with 20m for maximum hunter reach across North America and Europe.
If 40m shows Good night conditions — switch to 40m after sunset for regional hunters who may have missed you during the day.
If 10m–15m shows Good — take advantage! These bands are spectacular for POTA when open, and hunters love the rare band credits.
If all bands show Poor — consider postponing or operating on 40m/80m where lower bands are more immune to solar disturbances.

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VHF Conditions

Live · N0NBH

VHF propagation is normally line-of-sight only. However, several natural phenomena can dramatically extend VHF range — sometimes to thousands of kilometers. The dashboard monitors all key VHF propagation modes in real time.

Mode	What It Is	POTA Relevance
VHF Aurora	During geomagnetic storms, aurora reflects VHF signals between stations both within range of the aurora oval.	Rare and exciting. Signals have a distinctive raspy "aurora" sound. Best on 6m and 2m during G2+ storms.
E-Skip (Sporadic E)	Ionized patches in the E-layer reflect VHF signals over 1000–2000km. Unpredictable but spectacular.	One of the most exciting VHF modes for POTA. When the dashboard shows E-Skip open, jump on 6m immediately!
EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)	Moonbounce — signals reflected off the Moon's surface. Requires high power and large antennas.	Rarely practical for portable POTA operations but shown for reference.
Meteor Scatter	Meteors entering the atmosphere leave ionized trails that briefly reflect VHF signals.	Best during major meteor showers (Perseids, Leonids). Digital modes like MSK144 make this very accessible.
MUF Boulder	Maximum Usable Frequency as measured at the Boulder, Colorado ionosonde.	If MUF is above 28 MHz, the 10m band is open. Above 50 MHz and 6m E-skip may be active.

✓ Aurora Visibility

The Aurora Visibility indicator at the bottom of the VHF panel tells you the minimum latitude where aurora is currently visible, based on real-time NOAA OVATION model data. If you're in northern states or Canada, this is your cue to look up and get on 6m!

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Solar Images — SDO, Aurora & D-Region

NASA · NOAA · Live

Three live images give you a visual picture of current space weather conditions. Each updates automatically from its source.

NASA SDO 304Å Coronal Image — This ultraviolet image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the sun's chromosphere and corona in helium II light. Look for bright regions (active areas, potential flares), dark filaments (unstable magnetic structures that can erupt), and coronal holes (dark regions that release high-speed solar wind streams). A coronal hole facing Earth means elevated solar wind 2–4 days later.

OVATION Aurora Forecast — This NOAA model image shows the predicted aurora oval for the northern hemisphere, updated every 30 minutes. The green shading shows where aurora is most likely visible. The brighter and further south the green extends, the more active the aurora — and the more disrupted HF will be. For VHF operators, a strong aurora oval means aurora scatter on 6m and 2m may be possible.

D-Region Absorption Map (D-RAP) — This is the most directly useful image for HF operators. It shows how much the D-region of the ionosphere is absorbing HF radio signals right now, globally. Use the frequency selector buttons (ALL / 5 MHz / 10 MHz / 15 MHz / 20 MHz / 25 MHz / 30 MHz) to see absorption specifically on the band you plan to operate.

How to Use the D-Region Frequency Selector

Click 10 MHz before operating 30m — a dark red map means your signals are being absorbed before reaching the F-layer.
Click 14 MHz (use 15 MHz button) for 20m absorption — if the map is clear over your path, 20m contacts will be strong.
Click 28 MHz (use 30 MHz button) for 10m — absorption at this frequency is usually only during major X-class flares.
A green or clear map means minimal absorption — excellent conditions for that band!

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7-Day Trend Charts

NOAA · Historical + Live

The dashboard displays four 7-day trend charts that give you context — not just what conditions are right now, but where they've been and where they're heading.

Chart	How to Read It	What to Look For
Solar X-Ray Flux	Log-scale chart of GOES X-ray measurements. Spikes indicate solar flares — labeled A through X in increasing severity.	Recent M or X-class spikes mean HF was disrupted. Watch for patterns of increasing flare activity which may continue.
Geomagnetic Kp Index	Color-coded bar chart of 3-hour Kp values. Green = quiet, yellow = active, orange/red = storm.	A series of high bars indicates a geomagnetic storm period. If Kp has been elevated for 24+ hours, recovery may still be in progress.
Solar Wind Bz & Speed	Dual-axis chart showing Bz (magnetic field direction, purple) and solar wind speed (cyan). Bz below zero is the storm trigger.	Watch for Bz dipping sharply negative — this is the arrival of a storm. Speed spikes indicate arrival of a coronal mass ejection or high-speed stream.
Electron Flux	Shows relativistic electron flux at geosynchronous orbit. Elevated flux indicates an energetic particle environment.	Very high electron flux can cause satellite anomalies and indicates an active radiation environment — important context for understanding overall space weather state.

✓ Trend Reading Tip

If the Kp chart shows several days of quiet conditions followed by a sudden spike, and Bz just went strongly negative — a geomagnetic storm is underway or imminent. Plan for degraded HF but potentially exciting VHF aurora conditions!

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Solar Flare & Event Probability

NOAA · Updated Hourly

This panel shows NOAA's official 24-hour probability forecast for solar radio blackouts (R-scale), solar radiation storms (S-scale), and geomagnetic storms (G-scale). These are the probabilities that each type of event will occur in the next 24 hours.

Scale	Event Type	HF Impact	When to Worry
R — Radio Blackout	Solar flare causing X-ray ionization of D-layer on sunlit Earth hemisphere.	Short-wave fadeout (SWF) — HF signals weaken or disappear suddenly. Higher bands affected most. Can last minutes to hours.	R-Minor probability above 30% means real risk of signal loss. Plan to have 40m as a backup band.
S — Radiation Storm	Energetic protons from solar event reaching Earth.	Polar cap absorption (PCA) — signals through polar paths severely degraded or blacked out. Trans-polar routes to Europe/Asia worst affected.	Any S-event probability means polar paths may be unreliable. Stick to lower-latitude signal paths.
G — Geomagnetic Storm	Disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere by solar wind.	F-layer disruption globally. Higher bands close. 40m and 80m become primary POTA bands. Aurora possible at mid-latitudes.	G1 or higher forecast means plan for challenging HF. G3+ means aurora VHF scatter may be available compensation!

Flare Classification Quick Reference

A & B class flares — Background level. No HF impact. Normal operating conditions.
C class flares — Minor. Slight HF degradation possible on very high frequency end of HF spectrum.
M class flares — Moderate. Potential short-wave fadeout on 10m–15m. Worth monitoring during activation.
X class flares — Major. Wide-area HF blackout on sunlit side of Earth possible. Have 40m ready as backup.

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NOAA Space Weather Scales — 3-Day Forecast

NOAA SWPC · Hourly

This table gives you yesterday's actual conditions, today's current status, and NOAA's official forecast for the next 72 hours — all in one view. Use this for multi-day POTA trip planning.

Period	How to Use It
Yesterday	Shows what actually happened — useful for understanding if current conditions are improving (recovery from a storm) or normal baseline.
Today	Current NOAA scale ratings with probability percentages. The most actionable data for today's activation.
+24h / +48h / +72h	NOAA's official forecast. Essential for planning multi-day POTA trips. If a G2 storm is forecast for +48h, consider front-loading your operating to the first day.

✓ Multi-Day POTA Planning

Planning a weekend camping activation? Check the 72-hour forecast table every morning. If Friday shows quiet conditions but Saturday shows a G2 storm forecast, plan your most ambitious DX attempts for Friday and use Saturday for local contacts on 40m/80m.

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Particle Flux

GOES · Hourly

This panel shows energetic particle measurements from the GOES satellite. While less directly impactful than solar wind or flare data for most POTA operators, elevated particle flux is a leading indicator of worsening space weather.

Measurement	Normal Range	Elevated Means
X-Ray Class	A or B background	Active flaring in progress — watch for HF fadeout
Proton Flux (≥10 MeV)	Below 10 pfu	S-event (radiation storm) — polar path absorption likely
Electron Flux (≥2 MeV)	Below 1000 pfu	Active radiation belt — satellite anomaly risk elevated
Solar Wind Density	1–10 p/cm³	High density compresses magnetosphere — storm effects amplified

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NOAA Forecaster Discussion

NOAA SWPC · Every 6–8 hrs

This section displays the actual written analysis from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecasters — professional space weather scientists who analyze solar data and write narrative forecasts several times per day.

The discussion is split into two panels: Solar Activity Summary covers what the sun has been doing — active regions, flares, coronal mass ejections; and Geomagnetic Activity covers the state of Earth's magnetic environment and what's expected in the coming hours and days.

✓ Why This Matters

This is the same text that professional HF communicators, aviation weather briefers, and satellite operators read daily. Unlike automated data, human forecasters can identify subtle patterns, note unusual solar region behavior, and provide context that numbers alone cannot. If conditions look borderline from the metrics, reading the discussion often clarifies whether things are improving or likely to get worse.

What to Look for in the Discussion

Active region numbers (e.g. Region 4409) — if a complex active region is mentioned, watch for flare activity over the next several days as it rotates across the solar disk.
CME mentions — a coronal mass ejection headed toward Earth means a geomagnetic storm is likely 1–3 days out.
Geomagnetic forecast language — "quiet to unsettled" means good HF. "Active to minor storm" means challenging conditions ahead. "Major to severe storm" means consider postponing until recovery.
Polar cap absorption (PCA) mentions — this specifically affects trans-polar HF paths to Europe and Asia from North America.

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Geomagnetic Storm Scale Reference

Reference Guide

The color-coded G-scale reference bar at the bottom of the dashboard is your quick decoder for geomagnetic storm severity and its direct impact on amateur radio operations.

Scale	Kp Range	HF Conditions	VHF Opportunity	Aurora Visible From
G0 Quiet	Kp 0–3	Excellent — all bands potentially open	Normal — line of sight only	Not visible
G1 Minor	Kp 5	HF degraded at high latitudes	Possible aurora scatter on 6m/2m at high latitudes	Alaska, Northern Canada, Scandinavia
G2 Moderate	Kp 6	HF propagation degraded, higher bands unreliable	Aurora scatter likely at high latitudes, 6m and 2m	Northern US states, UK, Northern Europe
G3 Strong	Kp 7	HF poor, stick to 40m and 80m	Aurora scatter active, excellent VHF opportunity	Mid-US states, Central Europe
G4–G5 Severe	Kp 8–9	HF blackout possible across large areas	Aurora visible and active at low latitudes — exceptional VHF	Southern US, Mediterranean

The Silver Lining: Every major geomagnetic storm that closes HF bands simultaneously opens a rare VHF aurora scatter opportunity. When G3+ storms occur, amateur radio operators report extraordinary aurora contacts on 6m, 2m, and even 70cm — sometimes over paths of 2000+ kilometers. The dashboard monitors all conditions simultaneously so you never miss either opportunity.

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Your Pre-Activation Checklist

Field Ready

Before every POTA activation, spend 60 seconds on the dashboard. Here's the quick workflow:

60-Second Pre-Activation Dashboard Check

Check the Alert Banner — any active warnings? Read them and note which bands may be affected.
Check SFI — above 120 means 15m/10m worth trying. Below 80 means stick to 40m/20m.
Check Kp — below 3 means go for it. Above 5 means manage expectations on higher bands.
Check Bz — negative and falling means a storm may be arriving. Positive means stable conditions.
Check HF Band Conditions table — pick your primary band (Good day) and backup band (Good night if operating at dusk).
Click your operating frequency on the D-Region map — a clear map means your signals will propagate cleanly.
Check the 3-Day Forecast table — are conditions improving or deteriorating over your activation window?
Skim the Forecaster Discussion — any CMEs incoming or active regions of concern?

✓ Remember

The dashboard auto-refreshes every 3 minutes. Keep it open on a tablet or second screen during your activation for real-time monitoring. If conditions change while you're in the field, the alert banner will be the first indicator — check it if you notice signals suddenly weakening.