During the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) played a crucial role in coordinating wireless frequencies for the multi-city soccer event. The tournament spanned 14 venues in 13 cities across the United States, from Dallas to Santa Clara.
Preparation and Coordination
To prepare for the event, PWS utilized a dedicated website that served as a platform for vendors to identify their intended frequency usage. This information was then coordinated with local Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) chapters before being submitted to the FCC for final approval.
“Coordinating frequencies across multiple cities and venues presented a significant challenge,” said Kasey Gchachu, project manager at PWS. “We had to ensure that all allocated frequencies were available and compatible with public safety channels in each city.”
On-Site Operations
At each venue, the PWS team conducted frequency sweeps to confirm availability before setting up operations for media and handling any last-minute requests. The team also had to navigate the unique challenges posed by affiliates from South America who brought in unlicensed and unprotected equipment.
“We worked closely with Broadcast Service Group (BSG) and their technical directors to ensure a seamless operation,” Gchachu added. “The entire PWS team, including Jason LoGrande and Ryan Stotts, contributed significantly to the success of this project.”
Challenges and Solutions
The team faced unexpected challenges in dealing with foreign media equipment that was not legal for use in the United States. However, with the support of BSG, they were able to ensure all equipment met local regulations.
The 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup marked the 14th edition of this prestigious event, which has grown in popularity over its five-decade history, drawing millions of viewers worldwide. The tournament’s success was due in large part to the meticulous coordination efforts of PWS and their partners.