May 6, 2026
How to Transfer a Club Call Sign to a New Trustee
When a club changes trustees, the FCC license record must be updated. Here's the process for transferring trusteeship without losing the club call sign.
Club call signs are valuable assets — some clubs have held the same call sign for decades, building reputation and identity around it. When a trustee change is needed, the process must be handled correctly through the FCC ULS to ensure continuity of the club license and preservation of the call sign.
Why Trustees Change
Trustees change for a variety of reasons:
- The current trustee's individual amateur radio license expires and they do not renew
- The trustee moves away, passes away, or resigns from the club
- The club elects new leadership that prefers a different trustee
- The trustee requests to be removed from the responsibility
The Transfer Process
To change trustees, the club must file a License Modification application through the FCC ULS. The process requires:
- Log into the FCC ULS with the current trustee's FRN (or have a new FRN for the incoming trustee)
- File a modification to the club license
- Designate the new trustee by providing their name and FCC FRN
- The new trustee must certify agreement to serve as trustee
- Submit the modification application
Processing typically takes a few days. Once complete, the new trustee's information appears in the FCC ULS record, and the club call sign continues without interruption.
What Happens If the Trustee's License Expires First
If the trustee's personal amateur radio license expires, the club license is not automatically cancelled — but the FCC may eventually flag the club license as having an invalid trustee. It is important to address trustee changes proactively rather than waiting for a problem to develop. Always verify the trustee's personal license expiration date and plan changes well in advance.
Protecting the Club's Call Sign
A cancelled club license releases the call sign back to the available pool. To prevent this, ensure the trustee change is filed before the current situation creates a licensing gap. Many clubs designate a backup trustee candidate so changes can happen smoothly when needed.