A SA227 pilot was asked to return to their departure airport for maintenance following receipt of a NOSE STEER FAIL annunciation during climb out.

Narrative

On taxi I performed all First Flight of the Day (FFOD) items including the Nose Wheel Steering [NWS] which tested normally. The takeoff roll and initial climb out were uneventful. At 400 FT AGL; I performed the climb flow pattern and subsequent checklist. Part of the flow pattern is to turn the NWS arming switch to the OFF position. I noticed during the climb that the Amber Nose Steer Fail annunciator was illuminated and I continued the climb because of my high workload. I do not remember the altitude at which annunciator illuminated.After passing through 10;000 FT and the workload decreased; I tried to contact Dispatch but got no response. I contacted a company station in the area to check my #2 radio and through them got a hold of our Dispatcher. Dispatch contacted Maintenance who requested I return to our departure airport. The remainder of the flight was uneventful and no emergency was declared by me. However; ATC had the fire trucks waiting upon my arrival. The landing rollout was smooth and uneventful and I taxied to taxiway to a point in front of the hangar; shutdown; and was towed in.