This is just my take on propagation as we turn to fall and early winter here in the Northeast.
Take it with a grain of salt! It's what I have found over the years, but this year maybe be different so no promises!
80 meters: DX communication should start after sunset with signals gradually getting better until around 2AM mostly from the Northeast to Europe. Around 2AM until sunrise signals from South America should be strong. Around Sunrise some DX signals get stronger to the west with Hawaii, and Australia a possibility this lasts only a short while as the Sun rises higher and spoils the party. Then it's back to the regional USA only.
40 meters: Very Similar to 80 meters in coverage but signals should be stronger during nighttime and early sunrise. Just after sunrise Australia almost a guaranteed contact.
20 meters: A daytime band mostly, but in periods of very high SFI or sunspot activity it can go all night. This band needs the sun to energize the band, as opposed to the above two bands that need darkness to weaken the lower D layer of the atmosphere. So here from about 9AM to Dusk signals are generally strong again starting in the east in the morning and heading west towards the afternoon. When this band is really hopping, signals even to the west can be heard easily at anytime, especially if you have a beam antenna.
17 meters and 15 meters: similar to 20 meters above, but not as strong usually as 20 meters
12 meters and 10 meters: AAAH, the truly magic band (10) , high SFI or sunspot numbers make this band like the wild west. Although a daytime band and like 20 meters, signals here are more unpredictable. But generally easterly during morning hours and westerly in the afternoon, anywhere on the globe is possible however, sometimes this band can have good DX well into the evening. South Africa mid-morning has already been present on the band, and of course South America all day long. Sunset and early evening South Pacific stations can be heard rather easily. Beams of course help, but all the CBer's and former CBer's (on 80 meters) with Antron 99's or other crappy vertical antennas should be happy here.
WA2OOO
We appreciate receiving this post from Bill, an operator who has significant experience and expertise and from whom I have learned a great deal.
For a daily view of band conditions around the world I have found the QRZ at https://qrznow.com/real-time-band-conditions/ to be a most useful resource. A typical easy to understand graphic from that site is shown above.
As the site states: HF chart provided by IPS. © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2008. Solar-Terrestrial and HF and VHF propagation data provided and © Copyright of Paul L. Herrman.
This site is provided as a public service for amateur radio operators by Remarkable Technologies, Inc.
Comments about your experiences, insights and contacts on the amateur radio bands with are always welcome on the Hudson Valley 80 Meter Forum pages.