About Us:
AFN is your source for news and information on Okinawa, we are designed to communicate local command information to our internal audience using various media outlets; radio, TV and social media networking sites.
We produce local TV news breaks, radio news, radio and TV information spots and live locally hosted radio shows.
Our programming is designed for U.S. Service Members, DoD civilians and their families stationed at several military installations on the island of Okinawa.
Contact Us:
afnradio@kadena.af.mil
You can call us at the following numbers 315-645-3570 / 8408 / 7118 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do I get AFN Radio Service?
A: We have two radio services; WAVE 89.1 FM and SURF 648 AM. We have programming on both stations 24/7.
Q: How do I get my event advertised on AFN?
A: You can download a request form on our Homepage and submit it for review.
Q: Does AFN Okinawa provide Decoder support?
A: No, AFN Okinawa does not provide any technical support or service for decoders. You can find that information at this link: http://afrts.dodmedia.osd.mil/tech_info/
page.asp?pg=tech_info2
Q: Where do I get AFN TV Service?
A: There are two primary methods to receive AFN television.
CABLE: If you're stationed at a command that has cable television they will offer you one or more channels of television over your local television cable. This service is often available in family housing and single service member's barracks. In housing this service is typically handled by a local cable television company who often charges a fee for the AFRTS television channels to cover the cost of their equipment and maintenance service.
SATELLITE DISH: The second reception method gives you the most number of channels but can be expensive and requires some installation on your part. This is with the use of a small satellite dish and an AFRTS decoder which can be purchased or leased depending on your location from your local military exchange. Depending on your location around the world, the satellite dish size and the AFRTS signals available are different. Unfortunately not all areas of the world can receive the signal using a small consumer size dish. The setup guide will assist you in determining which satellite dish system is available and how to set it up.
Q: I live on base and would like more radio choices.
A: You have several choices for radio entertainment; all you need is a cable ready radio. Input your coaxial cable to your stereo receiver and tune in to one of these stations:
The Touch 93.5
Pure Gold 90.9
WAVE 89 90.3
ESPN 91.5
NPR 91.1
SURF 648 93.9
Country 94.3
Adult Rock 93.1
HOT AC 92.7
Z-Rock 92.3
Fox Sports 91.9
Q: How do I get AFN Radio via the internet?
A: Legally we can’t make our programming available over the internet. All of the music and content we distribute is provided for the military community and we would be infringing on copyrights if we were to broadcast on the web.
Q: Why does AFN play songs with bad language?
A: While AFN falls under the authority of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, we operate under parameters somewhat different than that of "the military." We do not exist solely to further the "Department of Defense position," if there is such a thing. Our mission is to relay DoD internal information packaged in and around a representative sampling of popular American radio and television programming.
The most basic rules guiding music selection on AFN comes from our mission statement in DoD regulation 5120.20R "C1.2.2 To provide U.S. military members, DoD civilians, and their families...with the same type and quality of American radio and television news, information, sports and entertainment that would be available to them if they were in the CONUS." (Similarly, the same regulation prohibits us from censorship.)
Q: How do I block AFN broadcasting TV-MA material?
A: The premium cable programming represents some of the most-watched drama and comedy series and is currently enjoyed by millions of Stateside viewers each week. Our programming is equipped to work with V-Chip technology and parental ratings information. We provide other programming choices on several other AFN channels. You can find a link to V-Chip instructions on myAFN.net (http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/Home.aspx).
Q: Why does the signal go out when it rains?
Our TV and radio content comes from a satellite and when we have severe weather, we lose our signal. It automatically corrects itself.
Q: Where/how do I get an AFN satellite dish and decoder?
The Direct to Home (DTH) free satellite program has ended.
You can still get a dish and decoder from the AAFES BX/PX. They will rent you a decoder for $13 per month.
You will have to buy a dish (normally around $150 available on or off base), a mount, cable and connectors and have it installed yourself. The Power Zone at the BX/PX has a list of contract installers.
The contract installers are a one-stop-shop that will will provide ALL mounting hardware and connection parts as part of their install package. Packages are anywhere from $100 to $200 per install. Be sure to talk to friends and colleagues who have had recent installs to gauge which installer is reputable, reliable and just plain "any good". Some can be quite sloppy.
Q: How do I re-authorize my decoder?
You must go back to the activity that issued or rented it to you.
AAFES: 633-4570/ 4571
Furnishings Warehouse: 632-4206
If you own the decoder go to http://pvconnect.net
|
Regularly Scheduled Programs
| Type |
Day/Time |
Channel/Station |
|
| Morning Radio |
Mon-Fri
0600-1000 |
89.1 |
|
| Afternoon Show |
Mon-Fri
1400-1800 |
89.1 |
|
| Saturday Morning |
Sat 0900-1200 |
89.1 |
|
| Specialty Show |
Fri 2000-2200 |
89.1 |
|
| Radio News |
Top of the hour live--Mornings |
89.1 |
|
Additional radio and TV services/programs:
Commander’s Corner (live): Each base commander has a 30 minute show once a month that’s hosted by (CO/CMC). Phoners are answered live on the air about issues related to service members on Okinawa.
Dive report (live): This is a weekly report that airs live and then on both radio stations and all TV channels throughout the weekend. Current weather conditions as well as recommendations and safety tips are passed.
Critical Days of Summer (live): A live weekly radio show that talks about the inherent dangers of life on Okinawa during the hottest part of the year. Phoners, safety tips and topics are all designed to help people stay safe during the 101 critical days of summer. We also air water safety spots on TV.
Cop’s Corner (live): A monthly show, hosted by local law enforcement, that talks about current issues service members need to pay attention to.
Various Live Daily Interviews: MCCS, Kadena Force Support, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Army MWR, Local base Thrift Shops, Marine Personal Services center, Local Education centers, the two main colleges on base and many others all participate weekly during live interviews to pass information about what’s happening on Okinawa.
Radio Remotes (live): We commit to 8 per year but usually do a few more than required. We are supplied with phone lines from whoever requests our service and we go live on the radio from their location. We do interviews, ask questions and help promote whatever the event is. These are usually big holidays or festivals held on base.
Sea Condition: Updated 24 hours a day on both radio stations and all TV channels we insert on.
Readers: We receive about 70 to 100 requests a week that ask us to pass basic information about events happening on Okinawa. We turn those requests in quick “Readers” that the DJ reads during our live shows.
Lunch menu: During the school year we broadcast the school lunch menu on radio and TV.
Holiday Greetings: During the holidays we go to base commander’s houses and tape greetings to the troops. |
Reception
Satellite Dish Tips
You will need to install your dish where it will be protected from the wind. A direct hit typhoon can blow at up to 180 mph! Dishes have been blown inside-out by a "near miss" typhoon. If you can't mount it somewhere safe, at least mount it where you can easily get to it to take it down when we reach Typhoon Condition (TC)-2. On some dishes it is easier to just remove the big circular reflector rather that the whole dish. This way you won't have to re-aim the dish when the typhoon passes.
The Okinawan climate is very corrosive. Coat all nuts, bolts and screws and their threads on your dish and mount with a liberal layer of grease at least once a year. This will make your dish last 4 years or more instead of just one. Especially for those living on a sea wall. It will also make it MUCH earier to take it down for typhoons. Coating with WD-40 only protects for only a couple months.
As of spring 2009 AFN-Okinawa is broadcasting local information over your satellite decoder. There is an AFN-Okinawa channel on the AFN satellite at channel 21 where they show local commercials and constantly show the sea ccondition and typhoon condition if it goes above TC-4.
Keep in mind, your satellite signal is easily disrupted by heavy rain. Wave89 and Surf648 will most likely be your best source for information during a storm. |
Okinawa DTS Pacific Model 9835 Settings
A. On your remote, push the menu button to pull up the main menu on your television screen.
B. Once you are on the main menu, press 2. This will, take you to the Presets/LNB Menu.
C. Once you are on-the Preset/LNB-Menu, this is.the setting you should see.
Active: 3
Preset: 3
Downlink: 12.647
Sym Rate: 28:0
FEC Rate: Auto
Polarization: V
Network ID: 4
LO Freq#1: 9.750
LO Freq#2: 10.600
Crossover: 11.700
LO Select: LO2 (If this doesn't work, try Xover)
D. To change your Preset setting to match those above, you-use the arrow keys on your remote to move the highlight bar to the item to be changed. Push the OK button on the remote to clear the field, input the correct numbers using the remote, then push select again to lock the new information into the decoder.
E. Once all settings are correct, highlight the "Activate" function at the bottom of the screen and push the OK button.
F. Once the activation is completed, exit all, menus.
Any problems call AFRTS March ARB, CA
DSN: 312-348-1339
Comm: 951-413-2339
24/7 service provided
If you-are looking for information on the service provided (number of channels available, satellite dish setup, etc.) use the website listed below. http://myafn.net |
