[quote=ssnapier;55749] and one very good way to control that is to require Star card payments because only military folks can qualify for a Star card. /QUOTE]

I thought that is what the military I.D. card was for?

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Or any other debit/credit card that is in your name.

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There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled.

I have been trying for years to figure out why i had to use the star card for the decoder and always got the same answer " that is the way its done? " Has there been any movement to allow any credit card to be used as the answer "that is how we know who is authorized to use it is with the star card "... well if i got a military ID card and got on base to go to the BX wouldn't that kind of lead you to think I'm AUTHORIZED TO USE THE DECODER. thank you...

Did Gen Bell reply on the use of the star card to get the decoder? Some of the DOD civilians are not allow to live on post or base and are force to live off the local economy and now have no way of watching AFN unless they get the Star Card..If the star card is what they use to see who is authorized the use of the decoder then what good is the military ID card ?

can you explain why we can not buy a decoder like they do in Germany? There are a few retirees and a few DOD Civilians that can not live on Post and the UHF signal is very poor in the areas we live in.
This is a very good sounding board... I would say that its should be shown on AFKN but we wouldn't be able to see it cause we have no way of getting it off base.

This is sort of beside the point, but the DOD or Civil Service Civilians who live off Post, like my boss, can get star cards and decoders. They are authorized to get the card due to being authorized to use the BX or PX and most all military facilities as a part of their hiring contract. Some contractors and other civilians may indeed have a problem if they are not authorized to use the PX. So the "Military ID" in this case includes DOD Civilians.

The Military provides short range, low power Radio and TV coverage at most all larger Posts and Bases. For instance, UHF TV channel 34 covers Yongsan; also AFN AM & FM. It is somewhat usable, but UHF is line of sight and subject to reflections and is blocked by tall buildings, which now are becoming prevalent. Even the AM radio is limited. The Army added the Command channel on to the on- post cable. I believe any cable that the soldiers get in their barracks room must be paid for monthly.

So, if the local cable companies defer to the wishes of the U.S. Networks, and stop using U.S. Network Programs without paying for the privilege, which would include the unauthorized rebroadcasting of the AFN Programming, (Whatever their source, UHF TV or from Satellite), there will be a scream from all who have been enjoying it!
Problems:
1.Loss of clear coverage by all who were previously receiving it on Korean Cable. (IF all cable companies give in to the pressure.)
2: Inability of "unauthorized" English speaking people all over Korea to receive programs they love.
3. Costs to "authorized" civilians, military and families, who desire to continue AFN Satellite reception, presently
a). Are REQUIRED to sign up for a Star Credit Card!
b). Pay $13 each month for rental of a descrambler/decoder.
c). Pay about $90 for an Antenna and LNB.
d). Pay a substantial fee for contract installation (some as high as $180.)

4. In some cases-Apartment owners have refused to allow renters to put an antenna on the roof or Patio! Check this out before going through 3. above!. Lt.Col.Lawhorn of AFN said in a previous post, that IF you find YOUR Apartment has a problem with you putting up an antenna, you should notify USFK leaders. I agree completely. The U.S. Govt. has a big effect on the Apartment owners income!

Solutions:
Not so easy. Those who have lost AFN from their Korean Cable should be the ones to complain, as well as all people who pay or anticipate paying $13 per month and are REQUIRED to get a STAR CREDIT CARD. In Europe and in Japan, our U.S. Government provides the descrambler/decoders for FREE! (See my previous posts for proof.) I'm pretty sure we can get some relief here, if enough people talk to USFK. Please don't call or write AFN. They are not resposible for the problem.