Fun with the Hydrophone .

[Dogfish40]

I learned a great deal about the Hydrophones over the weekend patrolling around Luzon.
One; I didn't know that I could track those missed torpedoes to make sure they aren't coming back to bite me in the (leg).
Two; I was having a real slow patrol up until I started checking the Hydrophone myself more often. I picked up two hits that we would've missed had I left it to the SO (I'm gonna replace a couple of officers when we get back to manila).
Using the Gyro compass bearing and the outer bearing on the Hydro-phone, I positioned the ship for a great stern shot without having to use the periscope as there was an enemy aircraft that kept showing up everytime we got near the suface we were down to 3 bow torpedoes with 8 stern, I finally raised it when we went to fire. While this was going on I also figured out why the bearing tools in the map page are all upside down ie; 180 degrees is in the north position. LOL. I could not get that,.... Until I started to plot the course and then it fell into place. The bearing tool is upside down to make it easier to draw the line with respect to the bearing you want to plot. Hope someone else was wondering about that so I don't feel so alone:doh:.
I'm going to be checking Hydrophones a lot more often from now on.
It's one more thing that makes the game interesting and satisfying.
Good Hunting
D40:salute:

[Pisces]

...
While this was going on I also figured out why the bearing tools in the map page are all upside down ie; 180 degrees is in the north position. LOL. I could not get that,.... Until I started to plot the course and then it fell into place. The bearing tool is upside down to make it easier to draw the line with respect to the bearing you want to plot. Hope someone else was wondering about that so I don't feel so alone:doh:.I'm going to be checking Hydrophones a lot more often from now on. It's one more thing that makes the game interesting and satisfying.
...
:up: You're not the first one.

[Takao]

Yeah, your ears are always better than the AI sonar operator's. Usually, once I get into my hunting area, I'll cruise for about 2-4 hours(game time), than dive to periscope depth and stop engines. After that I jump to the sonar operator's station for two full rotations of the sonar to check for contacts, after that, it's back to the surface and on my way. Wash, rinse, repeat. I learned that trick during my SHIII days.

Also, at night, I stick to two hour's up and then down for a sonar check, because I had gotten surprised occasionally, while running surfaced, in TC, during the night, in SHIII, by destroyers. It took me a little while to learn my lesson, but I carried it over to SHIV.

It also helps to break the monotony of usually being in the control room all the time.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I learned a great deal about the Hydrophones over the weekend patrolling around Luzon.
One; I didn't know that I could track those missed torpedoes to make sure they aren't coming back to bite me in the (leg).
Two; I was having a real slow patrol up until I started checking the Hydrophone myself more often. I picked up two hits that we would've missed had I left it to the SO (I'm gonna replace a couple of officers when we get back to manila)...
Yup, I'm never too busy to pass up a listen at the sonar station. If I had to guess, I'd say half of my enemy contacts were through my own ears on the sonar. Even if you get a sonar specialist, you'll still be able to pick up contacts before he does.:yep:

[Dogfish40]

[QUOTE=Takao;1557567]Yeah, your ears are always better than the AI sonar operator's. Usually, once I get into my hunting area, I'll cruise for about 2-4 hours(game time), than dive to periscope depth and stop engines. After that I jump to the sonar operator's station for two full rotations of the sonar to check for contacts, after that, it's back to the surface and on my way. Wash, rinse, repeat. I learned that trick during my SHIII days.

Also, at night, I stick to two hour's up and then down for a sonar check, because I had gotten surprised occasionally, while running surfaced, in TC, during the night, in SHIII, by destroyers. It took me a little while to learn my lesson, but I carried it over to SHIV.

QUOTE]

Yeah, Technically, I lost my last boat because I was using time comp submerged, which most of the time if you're careful, is no problem. The IJN DD snuck up at 180degrees where my SO did not hear it. I was running the boat above the thermal layer (big mistake if you're using TC) and the next thing I knew we're taking so much damage I just called it a day. Started my new carrier on Dec 7th (real time) and will learn from those mistakes.
I like your idea of stopping engines, personally I do a "crazy ivan" (from 'Red October') once in awhile but stopping engines is just as good.
I'm still trying to figure out how that DD found me at 165 feet,out in the middle of nowhere.
Good Hunting:salute:
D40