Let me be the first to welcome you to my homepage. My name is Nathaniel “Nate” Puchala KE8CDE. I have been a HAM (Technician Level) since 2015. I started with my interest in radio while working at my local fire department. Once licensed, I purchased a small Quansheng UV2 handheld for practice and still today listen to the local nets in the Detroit, MI area. To tell you a little about myself. I am married with three teenage children and two fur babies (kittens). I am a Senior Chief in the Coast Guard Reserves and Vice Flotilla Commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which is located in Trenton, MI. My hobbies include SCUBA Diving, HAM, Linux Servers, and Drones. My background is in Firefighting and EMS
Since I gained confidence with my first radio, I have built an interest in Digital Mobile Radio (DMR). It is one of the coolest things to be able to talk to people worldwide, and within the state of Michigan, as clear as day. My DMR radio is a Anytone 878 UV2+. There is a lot to learn, as this radio is a small computer with GPS, Bluetooth, APRS, and DMR capabilities. I have also recently purchased the Cisco SPA 525G phone with a side car to play around and learn the Ham Shack Hotline. This IP Phone also being a small computer and full of technology, I am able to utilize it as a normal phone through Bluetooth and connect to my cell phone. One of the coolest nets I listen to on Ham Shack Hotline is the “The Morning Brew” located on the East Coast Reflector. The net convenes every weekday morning from 0700-0900 EST, with a second cup on a random day
My Ham shack is nothing out of the ordinary I try to make everything very portable. I have a laptop connected to a dual monitor setup, wireless mouse and keyboard. My Quansheng currently scans local repeaters. The Anytone 878 UV2+ is in DMR promiscuous mode for local DMR Repeaters and Bridges. HamShack Hotline usually monitors the East Coast Reflector, unless I am feeling some “Old Time Radio.”
That is a little about me. I am also currently working on my General License to be able to expand my horizons and get into HF. I am by no means a pro in HAM Radio but really enjoy the people I get to meet on a daily basis. Please feel free to reach out anytime and say, “HI!!!”.
