Hydrophones

[mowgli99]

I am not the biggest hydophone hunting fan (i let the operators do it) but i am begining to use this just before attack and whilst being attacked. My question is, how are you supposed to know these things. 1. if the target is closing or whatnot and 2. when it is right on top of you (so i know where they drop dcs). It seems that the noise is loud at a certain point but does that mean it is above you? Any help would be appreciated as always. --mowgli (p.s: this is off topic but, Brag if you read this, your tips to me along with your website have been phenomonal. Also everyones advice that has helped. This is an informal thankyou.)

[Incubus]

Wish I could help more, but in my opinion hydrophone readings go from being very faint (like barely being able to hear the props over the ambient noise) to more and more pronounced.

Honestly you don't even need hydrophone when a DD is passing right over you; if you are within 60m (maybe deeper) you can hear the can chugging past from just outside the hull. Very unnerving...

[dcb]

It's like a car. When you hear the horn faintly in the distance, you may still cross the street, with a bit of luck. When it booms right near your ear, then it's about to crush you.
In other words, the sound goes from faint to very loud as the ship is closing by. When you start distinguishing the individual screws in the general whoop-whoop noise, it means it's really close - about 1000 meters. And BTW, you can hear the dc's splash in the water.

[headcase]

What they said. You can also listen for what their screws are doing. IF it's a steady chug, you're probably cool. When it sounds like the Indy 500 coming at you it's time to dive. And don't just listen for DC's. You can hear your fish racing to say hello as well. All good fun. Love to hear the pinata break open.

[mowgli99]

Ya when i'm shallow i can hear w/o the hydrophones. Just wanted to know and thankyou all.

[Canovaro]

Listen to the hydro and at the same time let the soundman report on the closest warship. He will tell you if it is closing in or moving away, and the bearing. The problem is range.
When it is very close, it will move around the hydrophone very quickly (bearing will change radically). If it goes right over your position, the sound will 'dissapear', and 'reappear' at the other side of the hyrophone dial.

Try to visualize it. The only thing you don't know is the range factor. But you CAN figure it out.