ARRL announces new Universal Licensing System

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ZCZC AG71
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 71 ARLB071
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT December 12, 2003
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB071
ARLB071 FCC announces new Universal Licensing System interface

The FCC on December 14 will unveil a new on-line filing interface
for its Universal Licensing System (ULS), on the web at,
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls, which includes the Amateur Service.

To implement the changes, the ULS on-line filing system will be down
from 12 AM EST Saturday, December 13, until 10 AM EST Sunday,
December 14.

Among other features, the ULS's new look will include easier-to-read
on-screen forms that guide users through filing and simplify such
routine tasks as applying for license renewal, address change or
vanity call sign. The FCC says the introduction of its new system,
called "ULS License Manager," concludes phase one of an ongoing ULS
overhaul by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

ULS License Manager will be compatible with most major Web browsers
and computer platforms and no longer will require downloading Java
and Java Script files. An FCC staffer involved with implementing ULS
License Manager notes that all features may not be in place when the
system debuts.

The ULS will require all filers to log into the system using an FCC
Registration Number (FRN) and Commission Registration System (CORES)
password. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) no longer will be
accepted for log-in purposes, the FCC said.

Once the new system is up and running, all licenses and applications
in the ULS database will be converted to the new ULS License Manager
filing environment.

There's also a new paper version of FCC Form 605, dated December
2003. One change is that Form 605 no longer requests a date of birth
and will only accept an FRN and CORES password. There are no Amateur
Service-related changes to any Form 605 schedules. The FCC says
Amateur Service applicants may continue to use the March 2001 (or
later) edition of Form 605, although it encourages use of the newest
version. The new FCC Form 605 now is available via the FCC Web site
at, http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605.html.

To assist with any ULS issues after the changeover, the Technical
Support Hotline staff will be available Sunday, December 14, from 10
AM until 6 PM EST. Normal hours are weekdays (except holidays) from
8 AM until 6 PM Eastern Time. Technical Support is available via the
FCC Web site at, [url]http://esupport.fcc.gov,[/url] or telephone 877-480-3201
(TTY 202-414-1255).

ULS licensing support and forms information is available weekdays
(except holidays) from 8 AM until 5:30 PM Eastern Time via e-mail
at [email protected], or telephone 888-CALLFCC (225-5322),
Option 2 (users also may call 717-338-2888).
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