HOUSTON — The 2013 NBA All-Star Game, held within Toyota Center here Feb. 17, marked the seventh year Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) provided an RF assist. PWS handled frequency coordination for all wireless microphones, intercoms, in-ear monitors, IFB systems and player mics — for the game itself, and also for the NBA’s Jam Session at the George R. Brown Convention Center and other official events, such as the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Shootout. The PWS team was responsible for managing close to 500 frequencies at the Toyota Center in Houston — no easy feat in such a large television market, with a heavily saturated spectrum. PWS managed the NBA-provided in-house 2.4GHZ Wi-Fi system, tracking down uncoordinated and rogue devices to help maintain good signal and data flow. Once located and identified, users who were out of compliance were asked to shut down or move to an acceptable Wi-Fi channel. PWS also worked with Quantum Q5X to manage the player mics, which users can control remotely and wirelessly. Quantum Q5X’s QT-5000 system included transmitters sewn into the jerseys of eight of the players. The antenna system utilized for the player mics was the PWS Domed Helical. “The NBA All-Star Game and associated events are always challenging for us, but our team has extensive experience in coordinating large events and does a fantastic job,” said Jim Van Winkle, general manager of PWS. “We look forward to working on this event each year.”