A little about Clay, WA6LBU

I was born in Covina, California in April of 1960. My father, Harold Mayrose the original holder of the WA6LBU call sign. took his license test shortly before I was born.  His license arrived in the mail on the day I was born. My dad was very active in Amateur Radio in the 1960's and 70's. He was active in Navy MARS, ARES, and RACES in Southern California and was instrumental in establishing one of the first two meter repeaters in the area. My dad played a very important role in me becoming an amateur radio operator.

Growing up, I was exposed to many types radios and mode of operation. I can remember road trips to Miramar Naval Air Station where my dad would pick surplus navy communication equipment. I still have an oscilloscope from one of those trips. As a child, I was lulled to sleep to the sounds of mechanical teletypes (mod 28's) from the "shack" across the hall from my bedroom. I was licensed for a while as a novice when I was real young. When I was about fourteen, I discovered the opposite sex didn't think much of ham radio and I let the ticket expire.  I picked up the itch again and with the help of Ted Hawken, WB6BWF I picked up the call KB6DDV in 1982.

My primary interest in Amateur Radio is emergency communications.  I have been active in Air Force MARS, ARES, SKYWARN. While I lived in the Omaha area, I was very active with the American Red Cross, serving with the disaster action team (DAT) and as a co-chair on the Damage Assessment team. In Oklahoma, I have served in ARES as an Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Oklahoma County and as a District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) in Central Oklahoma. I have been the Vice President and Secretary of the Oklahoma City Autopatch Association (OCAPA) . OCAPA heavily supports the Salvation Army SATERN system and the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.   

In 1988, I joined the active duty Air Force and became a radio operator (AFSC 492X1/3C1X1)I didn't attend Tech School and was awarded the AFSC through testing. While on active duty I was assigned to the following duty stations:

33d Communications Group, Operating Location AA (OL-AA)/Detachment 1, March AFB, CA

1961st Communications Group Commando Escort/Global Command and Control System/Rapid Initial Communications Element (RICE) Team and Group Public Affairs.

Elkhorn Communication Facility Elkhorn, Nebraska.  The site was known by many names.  When I arrived it was Detachment 2, 1st Aerospace Communication Wing. When I left it was Detachment 1, 55th Communication Squadron. This was the Master Net Control Station for the SAC Giant Talk system in the Strategic Air Command era and Offutt Global after the post 1992 Air Force restructure.

3d Combat Communications Group/CYTT, Tinker  AFB, Oklahoma

5th Allied Tactical Air Force (5ATAF) Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), Vicenza, Italy. 

My other hobbies include:

photography, astronomy, shooting sports, hunting, fishing, camping, raising horses and goats. 

I currently live in Wellston, Oklahoma, on a farm. I work in management for a nationwide convenience store chain and have three kids: Chris 24 (KD5QBS), Aaron 21, Victoria 17.