If you ever wondered what happened to legendary Art Bell (hamradio W6OBB), here are some updates.

To make the long story short – On December 21, 2010, Art posted an image on his ham radio website with the title "The Wind No Longer Blows, in the End it was Without Direction. Long Live the Hot Air. 30" which represents sign-off when a Ham makes his final transmission from a certain location.

There were no further c2c shows with Art after that, and many started to elaborate different hypothesis. Will he ever return to C2C, will he transfer to a new network or is that actually a retirement? Mega thread was started on Coastgab.com on that note (and on other forums) on the title "Art Bell Quits Coast" that has a spectacular 123 pages so far.

On February 1st, I was able to find Arts posting on HAMRADIO forum that ended the speculation. Art actually retired. I've posted my finding at the Coastgab.com forum here:

http://coastgab.com/index.php/topic,2136.3600.html

My user name there is "archivist1947." My post caused a new wave of comments and because of that, incredibly, Art himself posted on the thread directly to end speculations once for all

You can read developments here:

http://coastgab.com/index.php/topic,2136.3600.html
http://coastgab.com/index.php/topic,2136.3630.html
http://coastgab.com/index.php/topic,2136.3660.html

Pasted Arts comments in the text below – thread just exploded and by the comments it is visible how many people are still inspired by C2C that Art created, its place in the pop culture and in radio history – Art left the door open for a possibility of comeback once in the future – maybe:

Art Bell
Re: Art Bell Quits Coast
« Reply #3617 on: February 02, 2012, 11:13:54 PM »
Hi there,
I thought it would be ok to stop in here and say hi from the High Desert! I have had so many people
send me links in email that refer to a post on this site. All is well with the Bell Family and we are
doing just fine in Pahrump.

As far as Retirement is concerned it has been great having time with my Family and my Hobby. I have
learned to "never say never" but I am enjoying life.

If any of you are Hams please feel free to join us on Echolink at W6OBB-L

I would be happy to try and answer any reasonable questions any of you may have.

Art

Art Bell
Re: Art Bell Quits Coast
« Reply #3655 on: February 03, 2012, 10:32:03 PM »

The mess is indeed cleaned up finally. It is strange that something designed to
save you in a emergency can cause one.

As for Coast, the show has changed which from my point of view is a shame but
it is the right of the Host doing the show to take it in the direction they see fit. I
have had many offers to join other Networks to compete if I wished BUT I have
decided that I do not wish to destroy what I built, or what is left of it.

I really am enjoying being Retired, I can be part of my Daughter's life as she grows
and it is a blast. I do miss all of you though. I am not saying I will not pick up a mike
one day, just not this day. I learned long ago, never say never.

Art