The FCC ULS is the master database from which all other callsign databases get their info. This database is created and used by the FCC for all business related to licensing.  If you have just taken you first exam, you can use this database find out what your new callsign will be even before it is mailed to you.

Every ham should check their callsign in the database as least every six months to catch errors and prevent someone else from using your call.  Theft of callsigns is more common than you might imagine.  One of our CLARC members had his callsign stolen and it was used by someone in Hawaii for at least 4 years before it was caught by our member.

The FCC's Callsign database contains about 750,000 listings and at any given moment, approximately 30,000 of these callsigns are expired! Over 1,000 old callsigns are returned to the unused pool each month.

With Amateur Licenses being good for ten (10) years, we often forget to check our expiration dates, especially if we haven't been real active. If you are a member of ARRL, they will send you notice.  The FCC will send you a ninety-day notice as well.   You can renew your license online via the FCC's web site, or use a service such as ARRL or W5YI to renew it for you.

For more information about renewing your Amateur Radio License, please visit the FCC's web site found at this link: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/licensing/renewal.html Amateurs may renew their FCC-issued licenses "on line" via the FCC web using FCC ULS. FCC permits on-line renewals at 90 days or less before a license will expire, and when the license has expired but is still within the grace period for renewal. Licenses that have been expired for more than 2 years are not eligible for renewal or reinstatement. Amateurs may continue to renew their licenses within 90 days before the license expiration date, or within the two-year license grace period after expiration, using FCC Form 605 by mail to: FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245.

In your spare time,you should check your friend's callsign to see who has a license up for expiration / renewal within the next thirty-days, or who has already passed that point within the past month.  We provide this suggestion in the hopes that it might prevent someone from losing their hard earned license due to a moment's lapse in concentration.  If you see your name on the list, or a friend's name, do something about it today!

FCC ULS:

Here a few other popular databases.