Hello! I am Rowan Eggert, WO1P.
I am thrilled to accept the position of Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) for the Rhode Island ARRL section. I am proud to be the youngest SYC in the New England Division at 21 years old. With a passion for amateur radio and a commitment to youth engagement, I look forward to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of young radio enthusiasts as well as supporting our dedicated team of volunteers, including Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, RI Section Manager.
Something to know about me is that I am very new to Rhode Island. I grew up in rural Illinois with a passion for STEM and attended the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). After graduating from IMSA, I first attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for aerospace engineering on a full scholarship with the Army. However, after scholarship funding fell through, I transferred to Indiana State University to study Intelligence Analysis. During my time at ISU, I found myself involved in amateur radio and it reignited my love for technical challenges as well as a leadership opportunity in my community. After a few years at ISU, I decided to finish my degree online and move to Rhode Island in April 2024 to be with my better half and pursue a career in banking. I hope to move into fraud investigations after I graduate from Indiana State in May 2025.
My journey in amateur radio is still young, much like me. I punched my ticket in April 2022, upgraded to general the following July, and earned my extra class license in April 2023. This hobby has combined my passions for public service, youth engagement, and STEM education. During my time at Indiana State University, I helped re-establish the Amateur Radio Club at ISU after years of inactivity. We grew quickly with the support of the university and the local amateur radio community.
While club president of ARC@ISU, I enjoyed our Parks on the Air (POTA) events at Turkey Run State Park, seeing Scouts make their first contacts, encouraging individual operator growth through hands-on activities, free license testing, and so much more.
We gained popularity in October 2023 after competing in the ARRL Collegiate QSO Party and placing fourth in our first ever competitive event as a club.
In this year’s 2024 spring semester, we were involved in data collection for Case Western Reserve’s W8EDU and HamSci solar eclipse research project being one of the only universities in the path of totality. This work was presented at the 2024 ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention.
ARC@ISU received the “Best Emerging Student Organization” award from the university for our efforts in revitalizing the club on campus and received almost $10,000 in grants and donations. It was a very valuable and rewarding experience as a student leader and I hope to use the knowledge gained to help Rhode Island youth amateur radio clubs succeed.
As Section Youth Coordinator, my primary goal is to engage, educate, and empower the next generation of amateur radio operators in Rhode Island. During my appointment, I hope to focus on four key aspects: ARRL School Club Round-up (SCR), Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), outreach, and communication. I plan to collaborate with schools, youth organizations, and local clubs in a whole-community approach to increase youth participation in the ARRL, coordinated resilience, and the importance of STEM education in amateur radio. By promoting hands-on and inclusive learning experiences, we can cultivate technical skills, foster curiosity, and build lasting connections for Rhode Island youth.
I am dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where all young enthusiasts feel safe, valued, and supported. Together, we will explore innovative ways to utilize amateur radio for educational and community-building purposes, ensuring that the spirit of amateur radio thrives for years to come.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve and contribute to the growth of our amateur radio community. I am excited to embark on this journey and work alongside all of you to inspire and nurture the future of amateur radio in Rhode Island.
If you are excited to see more youth engagement, come talk to me! I’ll be at the New England Division annual HamXposition (August 22-25) in nearby Marlboro, MA. The Rhode Island Section Meet and Greet is scheduled for Saturday August 24th from 4pm-5pm. Hope to see you there. Meanwhile…
Stay tuned!
73, Rowan WO1P