Bruce Balog WA1FVZ

Year born:
1950 ~ April 11, 2003

I am originally from...
Stamford Ct

Previous calls:
WN1FVZ

My marital status is...
Married

XYL/Kids/Grandkids:
XYL/Julia...Son/David

I got interested in ham radio because...
I liked to study at my own pace and wanted to talk to other people around the world on a one-on-one basis!

My favorite thing to do in ham radio is... Because?
Experiment with wire antennas.

My equipment consists of...
TS-870, TS-790, Hal PCI-3000, SGC-230 Coupler to a 90 ft wire, Diamond XA-50

I am a member of the following ham radio clubs...
Stamford Amateur Radio Association since 1973

I have earned the following accomplishments in ham radio...
have had the opportunity to try ALL modes of communication over the last 30 years!

The funniest thing that ever happened to me on the air was...
heard a faint 'CQ DX' on 15 mtr CW one evening and was all set to 'cash in' on a new Country only to find out the station was 10 miles away on Long Island New York!

The biggest pileup I ever heard or busted was...
......none....

I would like to try the following new things in ham radio in the next 10 years...
PSK-31 and what will follow in that area.

When I'm not on the radio, you can normally find me...
In the Veggie Garden!

Bruce M. Balog

Ecom
Most places of business have turned into Corporate Hell's for most Employees.....They squeeze every bit of life out of you while you are told how important you are and how they just can't pay you now while they are lining up someone that is inferior but cheaper to take your place....No more than 5 years ago I could have the BBC playing in the background - Happy as a Clam at high tide with a positive attitude, when the BBC faded out in the afternoon I had my HT on...My productivity was High and I and My Boss were Happy!....If any of you still have the Low Pressure but High Productivity enviroment - cherish it!......It's vanishing! 73! Bruce Posted by WA1FVZ on April 19, 2002

Bruce Michael Balog, a lifelong Stamford resident and an avid ham radio operator, died Friday, April 11, at Stamford Hospital. He was 53.

He died of cancer, according to his family.

Born March 22, 1950, in Stamford, he was the son of the late Michael X. and Eleanor M. Dufrat Balog.

Mr. Balog graduated from Stamford High School in 1968. He was an avid ham radio operator since high school and was a member of Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), Stamford Amateur Radio Association (SARA), Navy Military Affiliate Radio Station (Navy-MARS) and the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA).

He worked in the automobile industry with Pray Automobile, now New Country, in Greenwich for 20 years. At the time of his death, he was manager of the parts department for Classic Automobiles in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Mr. Balog also enjoyed gardening, computers and doing handywork.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Julia Thomas Balog of Stamford; a son, David Michael Balog of Stamford; a stepson, Robert Fitzgerald of Stamford; a sister, Jan Spahn of Florida; and a granddaughter.

Services and burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.

Castiglione Funeral Home Inc., 134 Hamilton Ave., Greenwich, is handling arrangements.

Bruce Balog WA1FVZ hired me for his parts department in late 1988. Bruce was the Parts Manager in Greenwich for Pray Automobiles SAAB, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Infinity parts departments.

I was not yet a Ham, still stuck on 11 Meters. Bruce had rekindled an interest in Ham Radio that was some 10 plus years old sparked by an unusual license plate I saw every morning while waiting for the school bus WA1RXA (Joe Beck’s station wagon). I told Bruce I was interested in becoming a Ham. That’s all it took. Three days later straight from AES was a study guide along with Bruce’s old ARRL Handbook from 1986. The Novice License consisted of an Exam and 5 words per minute code. Just about daily Bruce would monitor my progress and was eager to give me pointers. He would often call me on the telephone in the morning or late afternoon and start sending touch-tone code to me. As soon as my code speed was up and I was comfortable with the practice exams Bruce took me to a Hamfest. Southington Connecticut early morning a Saturday and it was a sunny day. We drove into the parking lot of the Southington High School and I immediately became nervous. Bruce had told me that I would do fine and just go get my ticket. Well I passed the Novice written. I was told I could now take the 5 WPM code, which I passed. As I was leaving one of the examiners told me to sit down because the 15 WPM General code was about to begin the examiner said take tests until you don’t pass one and so I did. Much to my surprise I passed the 15 WPM code and additionally I passed the Technician test. One month later I got my ticket in the mail, KA1VOE I was almost as excited as Bruce was.

Bruce talked of Family, Life and Careers but most of all his hobby. Bruce was a teacher with a casual, have fun learning style.

Bruce and I lost touch for about 9 years, and recently we were reunited on the “39” machine having similar yet opposite commutes. Bruce’s repeater appearances became spotty and then non-existent. Efforts to contact Bruce resulted in one last e-mail from Bruce several weeks ago with some disturbing news. My reply was of optimism but it just wasn’t to be.

Bruce Balog was and continues to be an inspiration to me. He always had a kind word and an interesting story to tell. He shared life’s experiences with anyone and never gave up. Bruce was happy at work or on the air rag chewing. Although Bruce is now a Silent Key I am sure he is listening. Bruce you will be missed and until we meet again.

Kenwood TS-790A VHF/UHF All Mode

Bruce M. Balog