Jake, KC5WXA, was an avid General Class amateur radio operator in Houston, Texas USA. At the time of his death at age 26 in May 2009 he was studying for his Extra Class license. Jake was first licensed in November 1996 at age 13 when he received his Technician Class license. He immediately got a Yaesu FT-50 handy talkie and was on the air. Over the years he acquired a Yaesu VX-5 and Icom 207. He got a Yaesu FT-857 when he received his General class license in July 2007. He had vertical, ground plane and dipole antennas. One of his favorite pieces of equipment was a Vectronics 20 meter CW QRP transceiver which he built himself.
Jake liked to "hang out" on the 146.92 repeater in Houston, Texas and would often be heard having QSOs on the Salt Grass linked system. He also enjoyed the short wave ham bands and maintained a meticulous log. He was a member of the ARRL, AMSAT and the Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club.
Family and friends of Jake started an amateur radio club in Houston to honor him. It is the Jake McClain Driver Memorial Amateur Radio Club KC5WXA. The club is an ARRL affiliate club and awards an ARRL college scholarship each year in Jake's name. The club also mentors people studying ham radio to get a license.