Charlie  Wells  

I have been a amateur radio operator for 15 years, first licensed in January of 1995. I earned my extra class license two years later in February of 1997.  I enjoy the hobby, visiting with my friends on the air. I also like to do some buying, selling and trading of ham radio and related equipment. I have served as a VE for both the ARRL and W5YI and am the current license trustee for the Crawford County Amateur Radio Club. I retired from our local Sheriff's Department at the end of 2004 after having served in every position in the department from dispatcher to Chief Deputy. When I retired, I opened my own Private Investigation-Civil Process business. Then I was asked to serve as Chief of Police for the neighboring town of Dyer, Arkansas.  Additionally I have proudly joined the staff at QRZ.com. Therefore, for now I'm doing all three, wow what a retirement!  However, I'm now giving some serious consideration to my retirement from full time law enforcement again at the end of this year.

Having served as net control for several different trader nets, I dislike the interference caused by rude contesting.  Rude contesters with deplorable operating practices deprive me of my ability to carry on a QSO or participate in the various regular nets during active HF contests.   I have no problem with and even enjoy some of the special event stations.  Special event stations operate on a published frequency or frequencies for a specific purpose during a limited time.  I am not a ARRL member because I refuse to support a organization that blindly promotes rude contesting and refuses to sanction obvious violations of FCC rules and good operating practices.