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I became interested in 50 MHZ as an Amateur band in February 1986 when it became on general release in the UK.

I had been on the 50 MHZ band as far back as 1980/1 when, as I became more skilled  and interested on the 144 MHZ band, and particularly when I learnt about the delights of Sporadic E on that band. As I got to understand more about Sporadic E and also had help and support form such as Dave GW4CQT  I quickly learnt that to be able to monitor the lower VHF's , even from 28 MHZ, was a requirement to get the best chance of being around when 144 MHZ opened up.

To this end I set up a DX TV monitoring station - this consisted initially of a 50 MHZ Dipole attached to the eaves of the house - this went to a modified dual standard TV on which I watched in real time TV pictures from all over EU. I also had a Band II monitor which was used to listen for foreign broadcasts between 87 to 108 MHZ.

As time went on I upgraded to a small colour multi-standard 5" TV and a 3 ele beam. This I used on and off for many years. It wasn't until I obtained my IC7400 that I was able to actually monitor the carriers on 48/49 etc MHZ.

With this setup I saw pictures from all over EU on E's - including EA8 and YK 9maybe others but not indentified). During this time I was able to Identify the stations being received by test cards and other useful indicators - we didn't have the "luxury" of lists with "exact" frequencies to work from.

I was also able to watch much F2 TV - real DX TV - I watched pictures from as far away as Z2, BY, UA0, 9M regularly and I also observed (not watchable) signals from USA - amongst others.

To this end I already a had a great working knowledge of propagation on the 50 MHZ band when it was released.

I came onto 50 MHz with a small HB  transvereter running into a QQVO6-40 and a dipole. I then changed to a 3 ele HB for a little while longer.

    I moved QTH in November 1987.

I put up a 3 ele beam on the end of the house at 30 feet ( this was also used to monitor for TV pictures etc). and I acquired an IC551D. This I used until the power level on 50 went up to 400 watts - when I built a small 4CX250B amplifier giving no more than 280 watts - this served me well until I changed to the legal maximum in 2004.  I also changed rigs to IC7400, IC756 and now the TS2000. I also went from the 3 ele to a 5 ele - which I then moved up the garden and gradually gained height until I obtained a small tilt over telescopic tower which gave me 55 feet in height. I also changed to a 6 ele (and tried a pair stacked) which, along with the 4CX250B allowed me to work over 200 DXCC - and I have only really added more when I started on EME - but that's another story. I now run 2 times 6 ele HB NBS yagis at 55 feet.

I have worked, and still do on SSB, CW and digital. I use all modes of propagation - when they are there, and enjoy using all modes of tranmission.