How can I get AFN television at my home? We asked the professionals, and here’s what they said.
If base cable is not available to you the viewer, then you can receive AFN via satellite if you have the required equipment. AFN does not charge for programming, and there is no monthly fee to receive AFN as long as you have the equipment needed for reception. There are two primary methods to get the equipment.
- Cable: If you’re stationed at an overseas command that has cable television you will get one or more AFN channels over your local television cable.. This is often available in family housing and single service member’s barracks on-post. Cable service is typically handled by a local cable television company, such as TKS.
- Satellite: Use of an authorized decoder and satellite dish unscrambles our encrypted signals and provides you AFN radio and television channels. A satellite dish and an AFN decoder can be bought or leased from your local military exchange depending on your location. The satellite dish size and the AFN channels available are different depending on your location around the world. Unfortunately not all areas of the world can receive the full 10 channel Direct to Home service, but worldwide access is available for our three primary channels.
Where can I get a decoder?
- Lease a decoder from an AAFES/Exchange.
- Buy a decoder from an AAFES/Exchange.
- Buy a decoder from another member of the AFN viewing audience (i.e. buy a used decoder).
Where can I get the satellite dish, LNB and cabling?
Buy a satellite dish, Low Noise Block and cabling from anyone who sells them: AAFES, Power Zones, local electronic or satellite shops or through the Internet.
Minimum equipment requirements for Europe
Please ensure that all of your equipment meets or exceeds these minimum requirements:
Decoder: A Scientific Atlanta or Cisco satellite receiver/decoder made specifically for AFN reception.
Saellitet Dish: A satellite dish that is at least 80cm in diameter. This is the minimum size that will provide reliable reception in your area. If you are able to install a larger dish, it would definitely provide better reliability during adverse weather conditions in your area. The best dish is a round dish, not oval or elliptical…and the reflective surface should be solid, not wire or mesh.
Low Noise Block converter, or LNB: The LNB, which sets on the front of the dish, must be a KU-Band LNB that will pass 11.8 GHz if you are in Europe/Middle East or 12.59 GHz if you are in the Pacific. This information is usually found on the LNB itself as well as the box it comes in.
Dish-To-Decoder Cable: The cable should be RG-6 type cable and it should be less than 100 ft in length. If you have to use a cable in excess of 100 ft you will probably have to add a satellite signal amplifier to the cable.
Get Assistance
For complete instructions on how to get AFN, download the AFN Request for Service Form.
For questions regarding the American Forces Network and news service, contact the AFN headquarters operations officer at DSN 571 236-7541 or via email at AFN@mail.mil.
For personal assistance from the AFN Broadcast Center technologists located around the clock in California, dial DSN 312 348-1339, CIV 0951-413-2339 or email dma.march.afrts.mbx.technologist@mail.mil.
For more, visit the AFN website at myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil.
AFN Radio is available via the AFN360 internet and mobile app at www.afneurope.net/AFN360.