Costa – Limassol (Cyprus)

A signal across 2,700 kilometers

This shortwave radio story comes from Limassol, Cyprus — more than 2,700 km from our transmitter in Elburg. Sometimes a radio story begins far from the transmitter — and this one truly does. From Elburg to Limassol is roughly 2,700 km as the crow flies, across Europe and the Mediterranean. Yet on the right day, with the right conditions, that distance collapses into a signal you can hear in your shack.

That’s where we meet Costa Constantinides, listening from Limassol, Cyprus — a dedicated DXer whose reception report carries both precision and heart.

A lifetime in the DX world

Costa is 69 and has been involved in DXing since his teenage years. His journey began in Johannesburg, South Africa, in an era when the bands felt quieter and signals often came through with less interference.

Over the decades he confirmed reception from an impressive 136 countries on shortwave and medium wave — the kind of number that only comes from patience, experience, and a genuine love for radio.

The listening setup

Costa’s radio path can be seen in the receivers he uses. He speaks fondly of the legendary Barlow Wadley XCR-30, and today his listening bench features a strong combination: NRD-525, Sangean ATS-909X, and a Tecsun PL-310.

With two loop antennas at his disposal, he’s well equipped to chase signals with clarity — whether it’s a clean carrier, a fading audio peak, or the moment a distant station suddenly locks in.

Hearing Radio Delta on 9.800 kHz

On Sunday, March 9th, 2025, Costa tuned in to Radio Delta International on 9.800 kHz from 16:28 to 18:53 UTC. His report noted the signal improving from SIO 433 to SIO 444 as the programme progressed.

He even logged the opening song at 16:28 UTC — “It’s Now or Never” — and followed the show with the kind of attention only true listeners bring: the music, the announcer, and the small details that make a broadcast feel alive.

A personal moment on the air

Then came the moment that turned this into more than a technical reception report: Costa heard a surprise message dedicated to him in Cyprus. It arrived during a difficult week, as his 92-year-old mother was recovering from illness in intensive care.

That’s when radio shows its real power. A signal can carry music — but it can also carry encouragement, connection, and a reminder that someone, somewhere, is thinking of you.

Why 9.800 matters

We share Costa’s story because 9.800 kHz has become a meeting point for our community. A frequency isn’t “just a number” — it becomes a place where listeners gather, compare notes, and feel part of something bigger.

Costa’s reception from Cyprus reminds us why we keep the transmitter on: shortwave still connects people across borders — turning distance into a human story.

Join the community

Your story, your voice — this is where listeners become part of Radio Delta AM.