APCO receives applications directly from agencies or in some cases, from third party service providers whose business includes preparation of agencies applications on a contract basis. These service providers may be professional license preparation firms or local two way radio shops. In any case, APCO has a process that reviews the applications for completeness, enters the application into a database, and submits the application to a technical review. The technical review is typically performed by one of APCO's Local Advisors. APCO maintains over 50 volunteers who are qualified members of APCO.
APCO maintains an extensive database consisting of the FCC licensed system data and the applications in progress data. APCO has a highly developed computer based system that is available to the volunteer Local Advisors where the applications are run through a complex search to determine the compatibility of frequencies included on the application with those in the geographic vicinity of the applicant. In some cases, the applicant leaves the frequency choice up to APCO and we will research the most appropriate frequency available.
Many frequencies are coordinated on shared basis with other frequency coordinators or certain frequencies are affected by frequencies coordinated by other certified coordinators. In those cases, concurrence of the choice is obtained from the appropriate coordinator. In certain instances, concordance is required from other licensees in the vicinity depending on frequency and distance separation.
Once APCO approval and review is completed, APCO converts the application into an electronic form acceptable by the FCC and transmits the application directly to the FCC. The FCC no longer accepts applications through any other means.
With several means of accepting applications including through standard mail and several electronic transmission methods, APCO uses a high degree of automation to move and process applications, yet the most important part of APCO's process includes its dedicated full time professional staff working in conjunction with the volunteer Local Advisor network.
The FCC now uses a radio license application multi-page form referred to as "Form 601". The complex technical information, agency registration, tower registration, and general system complexity all contribute to a complex process. Each application is affected by many different FCC rules. If an application has been prepared to perfection and the preparer and submitting agency have done significant homework, applications can be processed in as little as a week. However, due to the complexity, the average application will generally require approximately a month to ensure it is complete, accurate, and the frequencies assigned will provide a minimum of interference.