Communications Infrastructure for San Bernardino and
Los Angeles Counties
High Desert Emergency Mesh Network
The High Desert Mesh is an emergency communications network serving San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. Our infrastructure operates on the 915 MHz ISM band, fully legal under FCC Part 15 regulations with no license required, and provides off-grid text messaging and GPS tracking when cell towers, internet, and power grids are unavailable.
In an emergency or major disaster, emergency responders may be unable to reach affected areas. The High Desert Mesh exists so that neighbors can find each other, coordinate resources, and call for help with no carrier, no Wi-Fi, and no infrastructure required.
What is Meshtastic?
Meshtastic is a technology allowing for portable, off-grid, low/solar-powered communications over wide areas. Meshtastic devices are used to create easy-to-use distributed text-messaging-style communications and location sharing networks that don’t rely on public infrastructure. Some uses include outdoor activities, camping, hiking, emergencies, and community-building. It has been extensively for emergencies, including during Hurricane Helene, and venue support during events such as Burning Man and DEF CON.
Local High Desert Emergency Contacts
| Agency | Phone | Website | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Co. OES | (909) 356-3998 | https://oes.sbcounty.gov/ | County emergency management, disaster coordination |
| SB Co. Sheriff (non-emergency) | (909) 387-3545 | https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/ | Law enforcement, search & rescue coordination |
| Los Angeles Co. OES | (323) 980-2260 | https://www.lacounty.gov/emergency | LA County emergency coordination (Lancaster/Palmdale area) |
| LA Co. Sheriff (non-emergency) | (661) 272-2400 | https://www.lasd.org | Law enforcement, search & rescue coordination |
| Victor Valley Fire | (760) 552-6500 | https://www.victorvilleca.gov/government/city-departments/fire | Fire & EMS for Victorville/Apple Valley area |
| Antelope Valley Hospital | (661) 949-5000 | https://www.avmc.org/ | Regional medical center — Lancaster |
| Desert Valley Hospital | (760) 241-8000 | https://www.desertvalleyhospital.com | Regional medical center — Victorville |
Legal References
The following references pertain to the legality of Meshtastic and other major radio communication bands and services.
- FCC 47 CFR Part 15 – Unlicensed Radio Devices (ISM Band / Meshtastic legal authority)
- FCC 47 CFR Part 97 – Amateur Radio Service (emergency comms rules)
- FCC Amateur Communications & Operations FAQ – Sections 97.403 & 97.405
- Federal Register: FCC Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Rules (Aug. 2010)
High Desert Mesh: Target Coverage Area
Our current target coverage area includes the most populous areas of the California high desert, per 2020 census data. These cities include Victorville, Lancaster, Apple Valley, Palmdale, Phelan, Wrightwood, and surrounding regions.
Join us on our Discord server
Join us on the live chat about Meshtastic on our discord server. Connect with others in the High Desert as we continue to grow the mesh!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Meshtastic still dominates in terms of user adoption, and LongFast is the default option for most people. This greatly enhances discovery and early-stage adoption.
- The high desert has a sparse population, with hikers and offroaders often traveling into areas where a distributed Meshtastic topology likely performs better than centralized meshes like MeshCore.
- The I-15 is a main traffic corridor for visiting mobile nodes, who are probably using the default LongFast preset.
- LongMod is currently very active in the Victor Valley area.