ULS Registration 101

de N1RL es W9JJ

[Ed. note: Thinking about upgrading come April? Register with the FCC's Univeral Licensing System now to beat the rush!]

In response to requests from the amateur community for simplified, yet detailed, steps to register with the FCC's Universal Licensing System, the ARRL offers the following procedure for individual Amateur Radio licensees:

1.

Start Netscape Communicator ver 4.5 or later. (Other browsers may work, but the ULS supports only Netscape. It's available free at http://www.netscape.com/ -click ``Browsers''). The FCC indicates that the following browsers have been tested and are presently compatible with ULS: Netscape Communicator vers 4.7, 4.61, 4.51 and 4.5. (Note: Your computer must be equipped with a 32-bit operating system such as Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT).

2.

Go to the Universal Licensing System home page, http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls/

3.

Click ``TIN/Call Sign Registration'' on the main ULS screen.

4.

On the next screen, check ``Register Now'' and click ``Continue''.

5.

On the next screen, check ``An Individual'' and click ``Continue''.

6.

You should now be at the Form 606 screen, identified in tiny print on the upper left. Complete only the ``Licensee Information'' part of the form-the top part. You do not need to complete ``Contact Information.'' (That's designed for those who deal with the FCC via a communications law firm or other third party.)

7.

The ``Taxpayer Identification Number'' or ``TIN'' is your Social Security Number. Enter your SSN without any hyphens or spaces (ie, 123456789).

8.

Complete your name and address information. First name, middle initial, last name, and any ``Suffix'' such as ``Sr'', ``Jr'', or ``II'', as appropriate. You may provide a PO Box address, a street address, or both. You must include a ZIP code. The system will detect if the ZIP code does not match the state provided.

9.

Form 606 still requires you to put something in the telephone number field, even though the FCC has said that a telephone number is not now required of amateurs and that it will not make telephone numbers public. If you do not wish to give the FCC your telephone number, you can fill this field with zeros or with your area code plus 555-1212. A fax number is not required. The FCC does not require an e-mail address, so if you prefer not to provide it, leave that field blank.

10.

Once you've provided all the ``Licensee Information'' scroll down to the bottom of the screen.

11.

At the bottom of the screen you must pick a password of at least five characters. We recommend that you do not use your call sign for this. Enter your new password in the ``New Password'' field. The characters you type will be displayed as asterisks (*) on the screen, so type carefully.

12.

Verify the password you've selected by entering it again in the ``Verify Password'' field. Again, the characters you type will be displayed as asterisks (*) on the screen.

13.

Type in a personal identifier in the next field. The FCC suggests using your mother's maiden name, but any word or name you prefer will suffice, provided it fits the field.

14.

If you click ``Notice to Individuals'' it will tell you that everything but your Social Security Number will be available for public inspection. The FCC has told the ARRL that it will not make telephone numbers or e-mail addresses public. We have no reason to date to believe that this has not been the case.

15.

Once you're happy with your choices, click ``Submit''.

16.

If you leave out anything or make an error, the ULS will list ``Error(s)'' when you attempt to submit the form. If this happens, go back and correct the errors identified and click ``Submit'' again.

17.

Once you have the form correctly completed, you'll be asked to submit your call sign(s). Click ``Enter Call Signs'' and follow the directions. If you are not yet licensed (you don't have a call sign yet) you can click ``Continue'' without entering a call sign. If you have no call sign yet, skip over the next item.

18.

You should now be on the screen that requests you to enter your call sign(s). Enter your individual Amateur Radio call sign in the first space provided. If you are a club station trustee, you may enter your club station call signs, but this is not necessary. The FCC requires a separate registration and an Assigned TIN for club stations.

19.

Once your call sign(s) are entered, click ``Submit'' at the bottom of the form.

You now should be registered in the ULS. Your screen should display a form that shows your ``Licensee Information'' (name, address, etc) as well as Licensee ID Number, personal identifier and password. It's a good idea to print this screen and keep a copy in your files for safekeeping (primarily in case you forget your password).

That's it! You're done! You're now registered in the Universal Licensing System. ULS registration is required before amateurs can transact business (ie, file applications, renewals, vanity call sign requests, address changes, etc) with the FCC.