Some five years ago I visited the Republic of Cyprus. Spent a few days driving around the coastline from Pafos to Larnaca, rambling and climbing the Trodos Mountains. I tried to visit some local Amateur Radio operators, but none of them was willing to show me the antennas nor radio installations. I guess the people living in the south of Cyprus are fed up with tourists and visitors. The tourist agents and car rental companies warned me about going to the North of the island. The North is a forbidden, occupied, no-go zone – that's what I heard. Later, I found out that it is not true, and at least a million tourists a year visit this part of Cyprus. Generally, I do not trust the main stream media and never been politically correct. I ceased reading travel magazines long time ago, when I could afford my first journey as a tourist and confronted the reality with falsified stories. I prefer to see things for myself and shape my own, eyewitness-based opinions and draw conclusions.

One November day this year, when the temperature was around freezing point in my home town, I decided to visit the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. This republic is not recognised by any other country of the world but Turkey, and consequently no direct flights from other countries are allowed. We had to land in Antalya, Turkey and an hour later lifted off again to fly the short distance to Ercan airport, several kilometres east of the capital of Cyprus, which is called both Lefkosa and Nicosia. There is another large airport west of the capital, now defunct, in the disputed zone between the North and the South.

As usual, I tried to contact local Amateur Radio operators. The 1B prefix used in Northern Cyprus is not officially assigned. There are approximately fifteen licensed operators, living chiefly in Lefkosa area. The total population in the North is estimated to be around 300 000, so the Amateur Radio density factor is not outstanding. There is some potential for growth, particularly at the nine universities in the region. If radio clubs were set up at some of them, we would see here many more enthusiasts of our hobby. Competition with the Internet and digital communication is tough, but I still believe that many young people would love to get involved in Amateur Radio and what it offers.

I met two Turkish Cypriot hams, whom I would like to present here. They received their permits and call signs in the '90s, and today both are retired.

Mustafa, 1B1AD, lives in a small house in the northern part of Lefkosa and has a tribander visible from the main road. His radio room is packed with mostly aged electronic equipment and a few radio transmitters and transceivers. Amateur radio gear is not available locally and has to be privately imported. The Cushcraft A3S antenna was acquired from a British amateur. Mustafa is not very active these day due to health issues, but he does get on the air occasionally using digital modes. He was a physics teacher and is interested in all electronics, not only radio. Mustafa speaks fluent English and is open-minded. He phoned his neighbour Ismail, 1B1AH and asked him to come over and guide me to his home.