I know Nomads have posted this before but Antonio Munoz is really doing great work between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro with The Desert Hawks
(Halcones del Desierto).
While on the Baja XL race in late January we were lucky enough to catch Antonio at his Pemex station. I was not only happy to see an old friend but to
also get an update on what he is doing with the organization. On top of that we introduced to the organizers of the race who may want to sponsor the
Desert Hawks in 2021.
There literally is no emergency services between San Quintin and Guerrero Negro. No ambulances, hospitals or fire services. If you get in an accident
you may be on your own no matter how serious. Your best hope if you have cel coverage (probably not), satellite phone or a car comes by and assists
you.
This is where Desert Hawks are trying to fill the void. He has had locals from El Rosario trained in fire rescue, EMT and search and rescue (including
himself). They will send an ambulance to assist you and take you to the closest hospital in either San Quintin or Guerrero Negro.
I donated to the cause while there and I think every Nomad should donate via the website or in person whenever they are traveling Baja.
Antonio holding an image of the future emergency station across the street
Antonio discussing Desert Hawks with the "Doctoras Peligrosas" medical team that follows the race.
David K - 4-1-2019 at 05:26 PM
Thank you, Ted!
BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 4-2-2019 at 01:24 PM
Hola,
antonio has always done so much for travelers. i remember a few years ago when there was a gas shortage, he rationed fuel to the locals so travelers
would be able to make their trips.
i've read so much of his generosity with his ambulance and fire and emt sservices.
if he or anybody else has not created a gofundme site for him, it should be done. i'm sure many past, current and future travelers would ( and should
) contribute, i definitely would.
antonio has always done so much for travelers. i remember a few years ago when there was a gas shortage, he rationed fuel to the locals so travelers
would be able to make their trips.
i've read so much of his generosity with his ambulance and fire and emt sservices.
if he or anybody else has not created a gofundme site for him, it should be done. i'm sure many past, current and future travelers would ( and should
) contribute, i definitely would.
I want to drive the firetruck.
How much is that donation?fishbuck - 4-2-2019 at 05:02 PM
And if I can't drive it can I ride outside while Antonio hauls tail across the desert with the siren blasting...?
How much is that?
[Edited on 4-3-2019 by fishbuck]BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 4-2-2019 at 06:59 PM
hola davidk,
thank you for your facebook post but i don't do facebook or any social posting.
is there a cost to gofundme that takes a portion of the donation ?
BIEN SALUD, DA RATMexicoTed - 4-2-2019 at 08:45 PM
Yes, Antonio has done a LOT for Baja and it's travelers (and the Nomads). Come to think of it, he's sort of the modern day Mama Espinosa (when she
used to help Baja travelers).MexicoTed - 4-2-2019 at 08:47 PM
I would be willing to set up a GoFundMe page with Antonio's blessing (if he wants one).
DK, who is his US contact? And I know he mentioned the http://www.makeacommitment.org/ page, but is it still operational as I don't see a way to donate and last update looks like 2017. Maybe that's not
the page to go to?bajamedic - 4-2-2019 at 11:13 PM
My last contact with Commitment Inc was in February 2017 with Andy Schouten afschouten@nethere.com. In my dealing with them, I found he and Antonio
Munoz to be of high integrity and a true heart for the residents and visitors in Baja. JHDavid K - 4-3-2019 at 06:27 AM
I would be willing to set up a GoFundMe page with Antonio's blessing (if he wants one).
DK, who is his US contact? And I know he mentioned the http://www.makeacommitment.org/ page, but is it still operational as I don't see a way to donate and last update looks like 2017. Maybe that's not
the page to go to?
As far as I know, Andy from that organization is still involved. You should email Antonio... info AT bajacactus.com
would you happen to have contact phone numbers for The Desert Hawks and/or Antonio? I would like to have them programmed into my Sat Phone
Thanks in advance
AlanDavid K - 4-3-2019 at 09:04 AM
Alan, I sent an email to Antonio and a message to Isela (who is on Facebook) asking them to look at this thread or provide an emergency phone number,
as I don't see one on the Halcones del Desierto Facebook page. Good request!David K - 4-3-2019 at 09:30 AM
Reply from Isela:
Emergency telephone number: (616)103-0262fishbuck - 4-3-2019 at 11:57 AM
Did she mention my firetruck ride?David K - 4-3-2019 at 12:52 PM
No Mike, not yet...
I just asked her directly in Messenger for the number to get the info fast for Dawn Patrol. fishbuck - 4-3-2019 at 01:23 PM
Nice.
And when I get moved down there I want to volunteer as a firefighter. fishbuck - 4-3-2019 at 01:28 PM
I can scout ahead with my plane too.
Like an airborne Green Angel.
Is there an emergency radio frequency in Baja.
Like a CB channel to monitor?fishbuck - 4-3-2019 at 04:11 PM
He needs a helicopter for this!
I always wanted a helicopter.BajaNomad - 4-5-2019 at 10:39 AM
Reply from Isela:
Emergency telephone number: (616)103-0262
This # is noted - and has been for years - at the bottom of the BN forum pages.... just sayin'.
fishbuck - 4-5-2019 at 01:38 PM
I'm guessing truckers still use CB radios. And a marinre radio is CB channel I think.
So there should be a common emergency chanel and is probably monitored.
A cell phone may not work.David K - 4-5-2019 at 03:02 PM
No, marine radio is VHF, line of sight, no skip noise.
C.B. is AM radio, lots of noise during skip conditions.
Wiki:
Marine VHF radio refers to the radio frequency range between 156 and 174 MHz, inclusive. The "VHF" signifies the very high frequency of the range.
Citizens band radio (also known as CB radio) is, in many countries, a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals typically on a
selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 m) band. Citizens band is distinct from other personal radio service allocations such as FRS, GMRS,
MURS, UHF CB and the Amateur Radio Service ("ham" radio).
In the US the civil aircraft communications band (118-137 MHz) generally uses 25 kHz spaced channels.
As of 2010 aeronautical enroute and flight test stations may use 8.33 kHz spaced channels in the 121.4-123.6, 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.875 MHz
ranges.fishbuck - 4-5-2019 at 03:38 PM
The aircraft emergency frequency (also known as GUARD) is a frequency used on the aircraft band reserved for emergency communications for
aircraft in distress. The frequencies are 121.5 MHz for civilian, also known as International Air Distress (IAD) or VHF Guard, and 243.0 MHz for
military use, also known as Military Air Distress (MAD) or UHF Guard. Earlier emergency locator transmitters used the guard frequencies to
transmit, but an additional frequency of 406 MHz is used by more modern ELTs.
BajaCactus - 4-5-2019 at 06:25 PM
My friends,
Thank you so much for the kind and nice words about our work down here in Baja.
But you give me too much credit... the only reason why Desert Hawks has evolved from a single ambulance service to a full Fire and Rescue Emergency
Service is because the ongoing and constant support you all have extended to us... for which I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks to the funds you drop or send to us, the materials, equipment, supplies and even vehicles many of you have helped to get down here, to date we
have responded to over 800 emergency rescue calls, saving at least 200 direct lifes.
I know these numbers may seem low to a city emergency service, but considering that the average time spent in emergencies down here is 4-6 hours,
because of the distances involved, that is a lot.
I apologize to everyone for not being as dynamic and active keeping you all posted and informed on the results of the help you have provided but
sometimes all these work is overwhelming... but we are currently working on changing that.
Commitment, Inc is still the parent/legal front for Desert Hawks, both in the US and in Mexico. Andy F. Schouten is the President of such organization
in the US and I am in Mexico.
For communications in that desolated area south of El Rosario we use a digital radio communication service being donated to us by a company in San
Quintin, which does not use an open frequency but rather an encripted one, so that makes difficult for public radios to communicate with us through
there, we have clear coverage all the way from Ensenada to Santa Rosalia though.
Thank you all again for your friendship and wonderful support in all these years... and Fishbuck... anytime you pass thru El Rosario look me up and if
I am in town, you will get your ride on the Desert Hawks Fire Truck..
Hugs to you all,
Antonio Muñoz
Desert Hawks Fire and Rescue
Non-Profit Organization
[Edited on 4-6-2019 by BajaCactus]BajaBlanca - 4-5-2019 at 10:34 PM
Thanks Antonio for being the creator of such an important service!David K - 12-22-2020 at 11:03 AM
A reminder of how important Antonio's ('BajaCactus') efforts are to both the community of El Rosario and travelers on Hwy. 1 between San Quintín and
Punta Prieta.Ken Cooke - 12-22-2020 at 11:29 AM
Id hate to see Antonio and Baja Cactus personnel getting sick from narcissistic American travelers at this time.David K - 12-22-2020 at 11:43 AM
I saw an ambulance and fire truck heading north on Saturday. There was a terrible rollover accident about 30 miles south of El Rosario.
Antonio, you're a good man!PaulW - 12-22-2020 at 03:29 PM
David, Good explanation
In Baja Marine is not very good due to the low power they use. Of course, a marine frequency can be illegally used on a high wattage vhf radio.
FRS, GMRS, MURS, UHF are other formats the have little use in Baja - meaning nobody to talk to.
CB radios at 5 watts are common in the USA and many of us have a CB in our rigs. Unless someone nearby has a CB the format is useless in Baja.
Now days the best communication is via satellite. On the high price end there is Satellite radio which so far is only used commercially or by the Baja
racers. In the USA Sat radio is used for most emergency organizations, like homeland, Police, fire, etc. For us common folks we use InReach or SPOT
which allows sending via satellite short email messages. So far both formats fail with text messages and are highly successful for email.
Most of the desert travelers in Baja have VHF radios and of course have cell phones. Both of these formats should always be tried and will be mostly
unsuccessful due to distance. For VHF extremely high wattage is best.
In the San Felipe region, the local Jeep club frequencies are a valid solution for emergencies. No known frequencies for El Roserio.
Ham radios we are familiar with in the USA are forbidden for all but Mexican nationals. However, there are Mexican repeaters, mostly in the big
cities, that can be accessed in the VHF band. So, if you can find the rx/tx frequencies then it is a possible solution. Once again high power to reach
the distant repeater is the key. Not a good solution IMO.
Aircraft frequencies sure would work if there is a plane overhead to relay a message to an airport and subsequent help.
Bottomline is Inreach or the latest SPOT is the answer for most travelers.
No, marine radio is VHF, line of sight, no skip noise.
C.B. is AM radio, lots of noise during skip conditions.
Wiki:
Marine VHF radio refers to the radio frequency range between 156 and 174 MHz, inclusive. The "VHF" signifies the very high frequency of the range.
Citizens band radio (also known as CB radio) is, in many countries, a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals typically on a
selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 m) band. Citizens band is distinct from other personal radio service allocations such as FRS, GMRS,
MURS, UHF CB and the Amateur Radio Service ("ham" radio).
In the US the civil aircraft communications band (118-137 MHz) generally uses 25 kHz spaced channels.
As of 2010 aeronautical enroute and flight test stations may use 8.33 kHz spaced channels in the 121.4-123.6, 128.825-132.0 and 136.5-136.875 MHz
ranges.
