RADIOACTIVITIES Newsletter of the Argonne Amateur Radio Club
Volume XL, Number 9	September, 1999

The ULS ushers in an era of electronic, interactive filing and handling of Amateur Radio applications and marks a major change in the way Amateur Radio applicants will deal with the FCC. It also means the demise of the familiar paper FCC Form 610 series in favor of the "universal" Form 605—primarily designed for electronic use but also available on paper. Amateurs filing applications with the FCC under the ULS will use Form 605 for all purposes except—at least for now—club station applications.

Before using the ULS to file an application, renew or modify a license, or apply for a vanity call sign, all amateurs must register. When registering, individuals eligible to hold a Social Security Number must provide this number—which the FCC refers to as a Taxpayer Information Number or TIN. This requirement is a mandate of Congress, not of the FCC. All hams must be registered in the ULS to do business with the FCC.

Applicants use TIN Registration Form 606 for both electronic or manual registration. To register electronically, visit http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls and click on "TIN/Call Sign Registration." A paper Form 606 is available at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html or by calling 800-418-FORM (3676).

Applicants first register their Social Security Number (or TIN), then enter a call sign. Applicants also must specify a password and a personal identifier.

Registrants receive a nine-character Licensee Identification Number. Amateurs may use this number in place of a Social Security Number in future dealings with the FCC.

For now, applications for club, military recreation, and RACES licenses should be filed on the "old" FCC Form 610B. Trustees and custodians of these licenses should not use their personal Social Security Number as the TIN for these applications but should contact ULS Technical Support (202-414-1250) to obtain a FCC-generated identification number for Form 610B.

Applications for new licenses or upgrades will continue to be filed through a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator. VECs will use a special NCVEC Form 605—a variation of Form 605—to file with the FCC for test sessions.

Hams registered in the ULS may file applications using the new FCC Form 605 electronically at any time of day, seven days a week. FCC Form 605 will be used for license renewals, modifications, cancellations, application withdrawals and amendments, as well as requests for a vanity call sign, duplicate license, change of address or other clerical license modification. Visit the WTB ULS page, http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls and click "Connecting to ULS" for information on accessing the ULS system.

Accessing the ULS database requires a telephone modem. A toll-free number, 800-844-2784, connects users to the FCC's Wide Area Network.

Among other things, the ULS features a renewal reminder sent 90 days prior to a license's expiration date. The ULS also simplifies the process of submitting fees to the FCC. The FCC said it also anticipates that the ULS will be capable of accepting credit card payments on-line ''in the near future.''

For more information, visit the FCC's ULS page, http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls.

I am collecting ID numbers. Check in to the club Skywarn net every Monday at 7:30 pm and pass your number to me. Everyone is welcome to check in, even without a number or training.

Some 2M DX was noted during our August Monday night nets. During some of our nets our repeater was kept on by distant signals. We later learned that one of our check-ins heard and worked a Canadian station.

It was good to see our Christine, KB9RWB (Red, White, and Blue) at our club breakfast on Aug. 14 with her mother. They came back for a visit from Lone Jack MO, where they now live. Christine is our youngest member, about 10 years old. Her father Tom, KG9NB also was in the area, but he had business to take care of. Welcome back and come back with the rest of the family soon.

The trouble with most people is that they won't admit their mistakes. I would, if I made any. 73, Bill W9AVE

"What does that tell you?" Holmes asked. Watson pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke. "Watson, you idiot. Someone has stolen our tent."

As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an axe and two 38s!"

The purpose of the Registry is to recognize wireless operators who have been licensed to operate transmitters with a power in excess of 100 watts for over twenty-five years. This includes all forms of wireless operators, whether the original license was military, commercial, or amateur.

Full details may be found on the Internet at: http://www3.sympatico.ca/wrgraham.

The Certificate also makes an excellent award for Ham Clubs to present to their senior qualifying members.

Remember the three Rs: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.