Something is wrong with my radio or TV signal. Who do I call? Call us. When in doubt about getting your television signals repaired, contact AFN Europe, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at DSN 389-4444 or commercial 0621-46085444. From outside Germany, add country code 49-0621-46085444. In some instances, it's up to the customer to report their outage situation to the local cable company. Satellite decoder owners or renters should contact AAFES or a qualified expert for repair information.
Customers in Germany receiving service via cable, on base or in leased housing call or email TKS Cable. The telephone number is 0631-35-22222 and email is tkskl-service@t-online.de. Once you contact AFN, we'll forward your report to the Fifth Signal Command, the agency responsible for getting television service restored to all other customers. AFNE employees will record the information from callers needing 5th Signal Command assistance and either call or email the trouble report 5th Signal Command for action.
How do I set up my AFN decoder?
Please download the AFN Satellite System for Novices guide. This document contains detailed information on how to set up and troubleshoot your AFN decoder.
Where do I go to activate or renew my decoder registration?
To activate your AFRTS decoder, go to the “Authorize Decoder” link at www.pvconnect.net
Deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom and want AFN Decoder services?
Units deployed to OIF and OEF areas can contact exo.ola.rfs@ramstein.af.mil to process your request for AFN services.
What's available on the AFN decoder?
Here's a comprehensive listing of what's on the AFN decoder.
1 AFN Sports
2 AFN Prime Atlantic
3 AFN Spectrum
4 AFN Prime Pacific
5 AFN News
6 AFN X-TRA
7 AFN Program Guide Television
8 AFN Pentagon Television Channel
9 AFN Family
10 AFN Movie
11 AFN Franconia Prime Atlantic
12 AFN Aviano Prime Atlantic
13 AFN Hessen Prime Atlantic
14 AFN Vicenza Prime Atlantic
15 AFN Heidelberg Prime Atlantic
16 AFN La Maddalena Prime Atlantic
17 AFN Bavaria Prime Atlantic
18 AFN Naples Prime Atlantic
19 AFN Kaiserslautern Prime Atlantic
20 AFN Sigonella
21 AFN Benelux
22 AFN Country
23 AFN Eifel
24 AFN National Public Radio
25 AFN Voice Channel
26 AFN prime|Freedom
27 AFN The Touch (Urban)
28 AFN Pure Gold-hits from the 1960's, 70's and 80's
29 AFN Hot Adult Contemporary
30 AFN Z-Rock (Hard Rock)
31 AFN ESPN Sports Radio
32 AFN Fox Sports Talk
33 AFN Voice Channel
35 AFNE Power Network Radio
36 AFN Voice Channel
37 AFN The Eagle
38 AFN Bavaria local ZFM radio service
39 AFN Bavaria local Power Net service
40 AFN Iraq local radio service
50 Bright AC
51 Adult Rock
Why do I need decoder authorization?
The American Forces Radio and TV Service (AFRTS) must ensure that only authorized audience members own or lease an AFRTS PowerVu decoder. According to Department of Defense regulations, only the following individuals are eligible to receive AFRTS: Active duty US military service members and DoD civilians assigned or deployed overseas, and their accompanying family members; Direct Hire US Government State Department Employees assigned overseas, DoD Direct Hire Contractors who are US citizens and specifically authorized by the host command. Additionally, retired military may purchase decoders at exchanges selling them or directly from Scientific Atlanta with permission from HQ AFRTS.
The American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) acquire the rights for the programming you see via an AFRTS PowerVu decoder. Program owners give AFRTS the rights to their programming at little or no cost, as a public service to U.S. military members stationed overseas. This programming is worth a great deal of money and commercial networks commonly pay millions of dollars for individual episodes of popular programs. To ensure that it continues to receive programming at little or no cost, AFRTS must promise that only the authorized audience will be able to view its services.
Your Power-Vu decoder is one part of an elaborate security system that protects AFRTS Programming from unauthorized audiences. AFRTS must authorize (or turn on) each decoder individually, over its satellite links, from the AFRTS Headquarters in Alexandria, VA or the Defense Media Center at March Air Reserve Base, California.
How do I get the decoder authorized?
To request a decoder authorization customers must log on to the PowerVu Connect site at www.pvconnect.net and select “authorize decoders.” Customers then complete the decoder authorization request form by filling in the decoders Tracking Identification number (TID) and Unit Address (UA) and other requested information. The decoder request information will be reviewed by AFRTS-HQ.
Leased decoder customer request authorizations must originate from the military exchange or store that leases the decoder. Individual requests for leased decoder authorization will be rejected. Approved authorizations should occur within 24 hours upon receipt of the request.
If the Internet and e-mail access are not available to the requestor (remote locations), customers who purchased a decoder can contact the Defense Media Center Help Desk directly at (951)-413-2339, DSN 348-1339 Or AFRTS-HQ at (703) 428-0616, DSN 328-0616. Callers will need to have the decoder TID and UA numbers and model number of each decoder available to provide to the technologist in order to activate the decoders.
How long does it take to get the decoder activated?
It is the goal of HQ AFRTS to activate your decoder within 24 hours after receiving an authorization request. Once the owner and location of the decoder has been verified in the AFRTS database, the decoder will be activated. The decoder will initially stay activated for up to three years unless it is physically turned off by HQ AFRTS.
How do you keep track of all these decoders?
All authorized viewers possessing an AFRTS PowerVu decoder are entered into the AFRTS PowerVu Connect decoder database when they request decoder authorization at www.pvconnect.net . This database is highly secure with access restricted to HQ AFRTS program managers, Defense Media Center Engineers/Technologists and AAFES/NAVY Exchange Trusted Agents at stores that lease decoders.
The required information includes: The decoder owner’s name, Status (DoD, State Dept, Retiree, etc), mailing address, work phone, country, city and DEROS Date (3 years or less) and other remarks that help us identify who we are serving. It is maintained by the program managers at HQ AFRTS Operations.
What do I do if or when my authorization period is up?
You can avoid this by keeping your DEROS and address information current. If your authorization does expire, you will be automatically switched to a channel telling you to update your DEROS or registration information. Then you must log on to www.pvconnect.net and update your DEROS information to have the decoder authorized again. AFRTS will only authorize decoders for a maximum of three years at a time.
What are the direct exchange (DX) procedures for AFRTS PowerVu equipment?
Depending whether the decoder is government owned, customer owned, customer leased, or US Navy owned one of four different procedures are followed. These procedures are found in the AFRTS Satellite Handbook.
Government issued decoders: The direct exchange (DX) procedure is based upon the former Television-Audio Support Activity (now Defense Media Center) External Policy and Procedure, dated August 29, 1996 and provides DX procedures for all models of AFRTS provided Power Vu Integrated Receiver-Decoders (IRD).
Customer purchased equipment is addressed later. All activities will operate in accordance with these procedures. Local repair of PowerVu equipment is NOT authorized. When it is determined that a piece of Power Vu Equipment is defective, furnish the following information: Model number(s) of the defective unit(s).
Rack mountable commercial 9223 IRDs are provided in three Models: 803-200, 803-201 and 803-202. These model designations are provided as part of a bar code on the front of the units. The set top unit that uses a remote control is Model 9234.
Tracking identification number(s) (TID). The 9223 units are marked with the TID as a part of the front panel bar code. The TID for 9234 IRDs is on the bottom of the equipment or on the rear.
Quantity, by model, of defective units. Please provide us the number of defective decoders by model number. Example: (2) 202s, (3) 201s, and (13) 9234s. Symptoms of defect(s). Provide as much information as possible to assist with the troubleshooting and repair of the equipment.
Point of contact (POC) should include: name, telephone number (DSN/commercial), Fax number (DSN/commercial) and, if possible, the Email address. Return shipping (DODAAC) address.
Notifications of defective equipment are preferred via E-Mail, however, fax, letter, or messages are acceptable alternatives.
E-Mail Addresses:
To: powervu@dodmedia.osd.mil
cc: afrtops@hq.afis.osd.mil
afrtops2@hq.afis.osd.mil
afrteng@hq.afis.osd.mil
dee@dodmedia.osd.mil
Mailing addresses:
Defense Media Center
Television-Audio Support Activity
Attn: Video Compression (DX Program)
1363 Z Street Building 2730
March ARB, Ca. 92518
AFN Broadcast Center
American Forces Radio and Television Service
1363 Z Street
Building 2730
March ARB, CA 92518
Fax numbers:
AFRTS: DSN 328-0624
AFRTS: Commercial (703) 428-0624
AFRTS-BC: DSN 348-1457
AFRTS-BC Commercial: (951) 413-2457
Upon receipt of a notification of defective equipment, Scientific Atlanta (SA) will be contacted and requested to provide a Return Materiel Authorization (RMA) number and the address to ship the defective unit. DEFENSE MEDIA CENTER (DMC) (FORMERLY TASA) will then advise all parties of the RMA and the shipping address. Do not ship until you are given disposition instructions by DMC.
Additionally, the DMC will de-authorize the defective unit(s) in the decoder database. Ensure that the equipment is packed properly, marked and shipped by traceable means. The remote control must be included with the shipment of a desktop D9234 or D9834 decoder. Notify DMC with complete shipping information of the defective equipment being returned for repair. DMC will ship a replacement, if available, and provide the TCN, method, mode, and date of shipment.
Exchange/repair Point of Contact:
Defense Media Center (formerly T-ASA) Logistics
Commercial (951) 413-2590
DSN 348-1590
Fax commercial (951) 413-2463
DSN Fax 348-1463
E-Mail: powervu@tasa-exchange.army.mil
Defense Media Center Technical Points of Contact:
Technologist
DSN 348-1339 or Commercial 951-413-2339
E-Mail: technologist@dodmedia.osd.mil
They have a program to determine your exact azimuth, elevation and decoder settings.
Duty Engineer
DSN 348-1236, and ask for the engineer.
Commercial (951) 413-2236, then Press 1
E-mail: dee@dodmedia.osd.mil
Defense Media Center Engineering
Commercial (951) 413-2590
DSN 348-1590
Fax Commercial (951) 413-2463
DSN FAX 348-1463
E-mail: powervu@dodmedia.osd.mil
HQ AFRTS Operations and Policy:
DSN 328-0616 or commercial 703-428-0616
DSN 328-0290, or commercial (703) 428-0290,
Fax commercial (703) 428-0624, DSN 328-0624
E-Mail: afrtops@hq.afis.osd.mil
E-Mail: afrtops2@hq.afis.osd.mil
What are the repair procedures for customer purchased PowerVu Decoders?
PowerVu Decoders purchased by authorized audience members for personal use are repaired via the manufacturers warranty provided at the time of purchase from the Military Exchange or Scientific Atlanta.
If the warranty has expired then repair is at the owner’s expense. HQ AFRTS and Military Exchanges maintain a list of authorized repair facilities for both Europe and Japan/Korea or the defective decoder can be returned for repair to the manufacturer, Scientific Atlanta.
If using the Scientific Atlanta option ask for a return material authorization (RMA) to return the IRD for repair. The Scientific Atlanta Technical Assistance Center Customer Service Representative can be reached at (800) 873-4613 or from overseas dial (770) 236-4786.
You can also visit the Scientific Atlanta PowerVu technical website for a list of worldwide toll free access numbers for the country you are located. http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/customers/service_content_distribution
Why do you run certain news sources? They seem biased.
AFN runs news from a wide range of available national TV sources in the US. We strive to provide you a wide variety of viewpoints. AFN TV news sources include NBC, CBS, ABS, CNN, Fox and MSNBC. AFN radio news sources include the same sources, plus National Public Radio (NPR).
Why aren't AFN/AFRTS music programs on the Internet?
AFN doesn't have clearance to stream music on the Internet. The AFN locally generated programs can be broadcast on the web.
What radio services are available with the AFN Decoder?
There are seven distinct AFRTS Music Services available with the AFN Decoder and also at most base and post cable systems. All times are U.S. Pacific Standard Time (PST). All of the music services are available full time to listeners with access to AFRTS satellite decoder boxes. Most of the music services are also distributed on most base cable systems.
Why does AFN air some controversial shows?
AFN airs controversial shows because the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) wants to provide Americans with the same radio and television shows they can see or hear in the United States. If the show is highly rated, AFRTS tries to get broadcast rights to the show.
Shows like Tom Joyner, Rush Limbaugh and Ed Schultz come to Europe via satellite from AFRTS at March Air Force Reserve Base, Riverside, California. AFRTS negotiates with program suppliers to get the most popular U.S. shows. If AFRTS can’t get the rights, it’s not broadcast. In recent years, AFRTS has succeeded in acquiring and airing 90-95% of the top 75 U.S. prime time TV shows. They’ve had similar success with syndicated radio shows. Rush Limbaugh is one of the top-rated radio talk show hosts in the States, and Tom Joyner is one of the top syndicated Urban show hosts.
What causes the freeze-frames, audio drop-outs and other disruptions on AFN TV?
The television signal disruptions usually happen in the Spring and Fall of each year in the form of sun outages. That's usually a 7 to 10-day period when the Sun is moving to or from the northern equator and interferes with the AFN / AFRTS satellite transmissions from the U.S.
What programming originates here in Europe, and what comes from the States?
On television, some news and command information programming originate from the AFN European Headquarters. The AFN Europe Report is broadcast weekday evenings at 6:45 PM and a shortened version airs at 9:45 PM weekday evenings.
In many areas, viewers get to see news and other command information programming targeted toward specific local geographical areas. On the radio side, morning and afternoon DJ shows are produced here in Europe. Some areas air additional produced-in-Europe DJ shows. You can also hear radio command information airing throughout the day.
Why is it so hard to pick up a strong AFN Europe radio or television signal over the air?
AFN radio and television services are not designed to be competition for local national broadcast organizations. Host nations grant AFN permission to broadcast in Europe, but only if they target signals toward pockets of Americans. This means the closer you live to the military installation, housing or the AFN antenna, the better your reception. For TV, you need line-of-sight with the TV transmitter. If a large building or mountain is between you and the transmitter, chances are you won’t get the signal.