The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 40

F6 The Pantagraph Sunday, February 15, 2009 www.pantagraph.com -ti HAM RADIO FROM Fl at times he was being shadowed by the advance team for the television show "Survivor." He was in the Fiji Islands, and the "Survivor" staff was there. He went to the Cook Islands near New Zealand, and "Survivor" was there, too. Likewise, "Survivor Guatemala." The reward of DXpeditions is meeting new people who share similar interests and seeing places from a perspective few people ever do. On a trip to Raoul Island near New Zealand, the team of DXers included ham operators from Singapore, Australia, Ireland, the United States and Switzerland. Smaller than the area encompassed by Bloomington-Normal, Raoul Island is part of the Kermadec Island chain and part of the Ring of Fire, a string of volcanoes that encircle the Pacific Ocean.

"You can look at the ship's radar (screen) and for hundreds of miles, there is nothing there," he said. Raoul's only permanent residents are government workers whose job it is to eradicate invasive plants and animals, such as feral cats and rodents. The goal is to return the island to what it was before European Most of the time is spent working round-the-clock shifts at small 100-watt radios that reach listeners around the world thanks to the fact ham radio waves bounce off irregularities in the upper limits of earth's atmosphere. At one point, they beamed radio waves to the moon and back to talk to people in the United States. "We contacted 40,000 people in a week's time," said Bellas, describing the tally at Raoul Island.

More recently, Bellas traveled to Bermuda during Hurricane Bertha last July and Nicaragua in November. He stayed with ham radio operators he grew to know over the air waves. In Bermuda, they contacted several thousand radio operators. In Nicaragua, he and his friend talked to 7,300 radio operators in 10 days. Where next? There's talk of the South Pacific.

Exactly where, he won't say. DXers worry someone else might beat them there. The planning and the dreaming that go into the process makes time pass quickly between adventures. "I go crazy sitting in the cubicle. It's kind of the way you survive," he said.

where Ralph Bellas helped set up OUTDOORS FROM Fl far include designating a small portion of the state sales tax for conservation and to buy more open space. "Times are going to be tough," said Miller. "We're not going to be able to turn it around right away. first months will be working on a new budget, seeing what's possible." News of Miller's appointment was greeted with universal goodwill inside and outside the agency. "Absolutely a great choice," former IDNR director Brent Manning told The Pantagraph.

"Marc is a sportsman, professionally trained, experienced in Conservation Congress and a very bright young man. I wish him the very best and am willing to help in any manner needed." "Gov. Quinn's appointment of Marc Miller to head the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is very strong first step to rebuilding Illinois' ability to protect Illinois' wildlife, water and special places, and to offer high quality outdoor recreation experiences to Illinois residents and visitors," agreed Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. "Marc Miller was instrumental in helping Friends of Kickapoo Creek here in McLean County get started when he was with Prairie Rivers Network. Who knew he'd end up as IDNR chief.

Now, I regret we didn't have more food for him at the FOKC meetings," quipped Angelo Capparel-la, an Illinois State University biology professor who is active in several area environmental organizations, including the Parklands Foundation and the John Wesley Powell chapter of the Audubon Society. Wait. More food at meetings doesn't qualify as a pay for play scheme, does it? Scot Richardson is Pantagraph outdoor editor. Contact him at (309) 820-3227 or email Share stories and read past outdoor and fishing columns at www.pantagraph.comblogs Mardi Gras gives New Orleans a chance to shine For The Pantagraph a temporary radio station on a money once he arrives. On Raoul, "They escorted us to the crater one day.

We took Zodiacs out and followed whales around. The whole area is a 'no fishing Scuba diving is allowed. The folks I go with say, 'Hey, there are other reasons to go (than danger to yourself. Although women showing their breasts is not out of the ordinary on Bourbon Street, if done along the family friendly St. Charles parade route, it can get you a trip to Central Lockup.

The same is true for men dropping their trousers anywhere. July 17-25 with WMBD31 News Anchor BOB LARSON WMBDi Airfare 10 meals Rocky Mountaineer day train (2 days) Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Whistler, Vancouver TOUR DEPARTS EAST PEORIA AND BLOOMINGTON immmmi i A -A I fefln enemy special transportation, such as helicopters, is needed. The cost can be $7,000 to $10,000 per trip per person, Bellas said. He keeps expenses down by using frequent flyer miles and taking advantage of travel deals. Other than talking on the radio, there's not many ways to spend Drinking is common and you can carry your drink with you in New Orleans, where "go-cups" are used year-round.

You may not have a glass container on the streets, however. A degree of drunkenness is tolerated, police say, as long as you do not infringe on the rights of others, or cause a TRAVEL SHOWS Wed, Feb. 25 lOANWPM''1 Country Inn Suites by Carlson RECEIVE $400 OFF 2403 E.Empire St. I PER COUPLE BY FEB. 25 In it hCObastank By Mary Foster ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS Mardi Gras in New Orleans is called the greatest free show on earth, and while attending may not be free, it can certainly be cheap.

Mardi Gras, which translates as Fat Tuesday, closes out the Carnival season on Feb. 24 this year, just before Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent. There are 10 parades in the greater New Orleans area on that day alone, more than 50 in the week leading up to it, www.mardigras.com. On Mardi Gras, you can watch sumptuous floats roll by, catch bags full of plastic beads, stuffed animals, and other "throws," that riders toss from the floats. You see a much more ribald celebration in the French Quarter.

Or you can also see the Mardi Gras Indians in their fantastic costumes of bright feathers and intricate bead work, www.mardigras.com What to do and where to do it: There are several types of Mardi Gras celebrations. Uptown and in mid-city, there is a family atmosphere, although college students also stake out spots along the various routes. The streetcar stops rolling down St. Charles Avenue at midnight as Monday gives way to Tuesday, and people begin grabbing their places along the route. Beginning with Zulu, the traditional black Carnival club, continuing through Rex and the hours-long truck parade, there will be nonstop throws from about 9 a.m.

until dusk. People bring tents, screen rooms, chairs, coolers, grills and just about everything else needed for comfort for the day. Many families and groups of friends have been meeting in the same spots for years. Kids whoop it up along the street while waiting for parades, popping firecrackers, shooting people with silly string, and begging for goodies from the roving vendors. Groups are friendly, ready to share and to help novices collect plenty of Carnival throws, www.mardi-grasday.commardigras.

In the French Quarter the celebration is a lot rowdier. The crowd is heavy, frequently skimpily dressed and constantly exposing more flesh than most parents would like their children to see. Waves crash on rocks at Bermuda recent DXpedition. ships anchored in the 19th century. Each piece of the DX team's equipment was closely inspected for foreign life, from seeds to spider webs, that could contaminate the island.

DX teams spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach their destinations, especially if AP file photo In these 2008 file photos revelers celebrate Mardi Gras in the French Quarter of New Orleans. As the day goes on, the drinking begins to take a toll, and things can become even more X-rated. Balconies are prime spots, which means expensive spots. People rent them for the day, some bars open them to customers, but at a high fee. If the French Quarter is your choice for the day, be sure and see the 45th Annual Bourbon Street Awards Show.

The ultimate costume contest with elaborately costumed drag queens will be held at noon on Mardi Gras on the corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon www.gaymardigras.combbb.h tm. Not everything qoes: People find plenty of opportunity to lose their inhibitions during Mardi Gras, and New Orleans police are famous for their tolerance during the celebration. There are limits, however. The 18th Annual HUNTER'S FEAST QiJ February 20" March 7'1 "Rabbit Legs" "Venison Tenderloin" "Wild Game Sausages" "Hunter's Feast Sample Plate" "Duck Breast" Baucrn tiibc Authentic German Cuisine 209 North Sangamon Gibson City 30 Minutes from Bloomington www.bayernstube.com in Fairbury and Pontiac! 1 18 W.

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