AFN - Activated Scientific Atlanta PowerVu Decoder

[Pensky]

Hoping someone can help.

I understand that the American Forces Network (AFN) is strictly for American servicemen and US government civilians, I’m neither, but I’d very much like to get hold of AFN for myself in the UK.

I realise you need a dish aimed at the Hot Bird satellite, and you need the dedicated Scientific Atlanta PowerVu decoder which is activated for use on AFN.

The question is, has anyone successfully sourced an activated decoder, if so, how successful was the decoder? How long did it last? Did it require reactivation at all?

Any other hints or tips on getting AFN in the UK when you’re not in the military?

I’m in a position to get a Scientific Atlanta PowerVu decoder that has never been activated before, and that I know someone who could potentially activate it for me.

But it would be much better to source a decoder that has already been activated, or are activated decoders as rare as a rare thing?

Thanks in advance.

[lincsat]

I would suggest hanging around near a US base and making friends with a serviceman. You can get them from the PX or whatever it's called, but there are registered to the persons military service ID.

[remlap]

Maybe check Stars and Stripes Classifieds?

[Pensky]

Hello again,

Thanks for your replies so far. I guess I should rephrase my question. If you purchase an AFN decoder, that has previously been activated, do they remain activated or does the owner/AFN 'deactivate' them when they sell them on?

Thanks in advance.

[arden]

whats on them thats not already on the arc already?