Amateur Radio to have no role
in 2005 Rose Parade
The Tournament of Roses Radio
Amateurs (TORRA) will not be providing any support for the New Year's
Day 2005 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The traditional event precedes
the Rose Bowl college football game.
Although TORRA and the Tournament of Roses were unable to agree on 2005
Amateur Radio communication support arrangements, TORRA initially intended
at least to provide some Amateur Television coverage.
Now, the group now says the Tournament of Roses has decided not to use
ATV either. A November 17 statement from the TORRA Steering Committee
to TORRA members outlined the chain of events that led to the eventual
disconnect, beginning with the Tournament's reallocation of building space
after the 2004 event and the consequent removal of TORRA's equipment from
the net control position
and ATV storage facilities.
While TORRA and Tournament personnel did sit down to explore the role
of Amateur Radio and changes necessary for 2005, TORRA eventually concluded
that "there was still too much to do and not enough time to do it"
for a successful operation. TORRA announced November 22 that ATV coverage
was out as well.
TORRA indicated it will meet with Tournament officials in January "to
restructure our role and the communication services we provide."
Amateur Radio has had a communication support role in the Tournament of
Roses parade since the 1970s. "We have a longstanding relationship
with the Tournament of Roses, and both
organizations wish to maintain that relationship," the November 17
TORRA letter said.
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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