Can we talk about the hydrophone?

[Mowgli]

Clearly bored with life, I have been putting my sub in harms way in order to practise with evasion tactics.

The year is 1940 and I realise that things are going to get very grim in the future and want to become as good as possible at using the hydrophone to give me a good "situational awareness".

Last night, after meeting two ASW (small vessels) in two separate occasions I managed to escape them but I realised how ignorant I am on the subject of the hydrophone.

At this point I am not ready for the full realism of determining their course and speed but just have some general questions.

When the hydrophone operators reports a distance of "medium" or "far" just how far is medium and far?

When you look at the gray line showing their bearing, is the length of that line their rough distance from you or does the bearing line continue on?

At what distance from an ASW vessel that knows you are in the area is it safe to stop running silent and increase your speed?

What range can enemy vessels detect you by noise?
What range can their lookouts see your periscope in different weathers.

I suppose I will have lots more to ask and beg your indulgence in this matter.

Salute

[Pisces]

...

When the hydrophone operators reports a distance of "medium" or "far" just how far is medium and far?It depends on mods I think. But check SilentHunterIII\data\Cfg\Contacts.cfg to make sure.
...
When you look at the gray line showing their bearing, is the length of that line their rough distance from you or does the bearing line continue on?Then end of the (fading) line is where they should be at.

...
At what distance from an ASW vessel that knows you are in the area is it safe to stop running silent and increase your speed?

What range can enemy vessels detect you by noise?
What range can their lookouts see your periscope in different weathers.
...Classified!

Meaning, I don't really know. Alot of their visual detection capability also depends on the time of night. Their crew rating comes into play, which you can't tell. When underwater and feeling like a prey I have a very bad sense of distance. I can tell how they move by the way their sound bearing changes. But when they are searching they move all over the place preventing any chance of a hydrophone tracking attempt. I only do that when they are unaware of me. Just move away from them until they lost interrest in you and hurry back to the convoy (or whatever). Then very carefully come to periscope depth, and take a cautious peek. Only at night or in bad weather, and when they are over 10km away do I consider surfacing with deck awash. And continue the stalk.

[Mowgli]

Thank you Pisces. That was most useful.

[ContactRange]
;under the (right) value a contact is considered as:
Short=1000 ;[m]
Medium=8000 ;[m]
Long=16000 ;[m]

[ContactSpeeds]
;less than each value means (in this order): stationary, slow, medium and fast speed ; over the last value means very fast speed
Merchant=0.1,8,12,35 ;[kts]
Warship=0.1,8,19,35 ;[kts] including uboats
Air=0.1,50,100,150 ;[kts]
Convoy=0.1,8,12,35 ;[kts]

[troopie]

@Mowgli, You Know you can click on the contacts' symbol while in nav map to get a visual representaion of their lookout and sonar range right?:hmmm:

Sorry if you Know this already BTW

[Mowgli]

@Mowgli, You Know you can click on the contacts' symbol while in nav map to get a visual representaion of their lookout and sonar range right?:hmmm:

Sorry if you Know this already BTW

I am using the excellent GWX mods and do not see the contacts symbol when submerged but will keep what you say in mind. Thank you for responding.

[troopie]

Oh, sorry mate. I'm refering to stock. Here's some stock screenies that answer some of your questions, but I've no idea how values will relate to your mods.


Sonar catacts:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6755/shshy.jpg

Actual position; pretty close;
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2530/shshy2.jpg


Clicking on cotact (stock):

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2233/shshy8.jpg

The outer circle is the usual visual range of this vessel while the 'pacman shape' (inner circle) is the sonar range. On close up it also shows the 'dead spot in front of their Asdic. The circles appear to be averages and the 'actuals' vary greatly with conditions.


Edit: Sorry, first time I've tried a post like this; next time I'll use a bigger type face! :oops:

[zygoma]

Troopie,
Thanks very much for posting those answers. I've been playing stock for *years* and never knew about clicking on the contacts and getting info on them.
And Mowgli, thanks for posting your questions, or I'd never have thought of them to ask myself.
Cheers,
Zygoma

[troopie]

Troopie,
Thanks very much for posting those answers. I've been playing stock for *years* and never knew about clicking on the contacts and getting info on them.
And Mowgli, thanks for posting your questions, or I'd never have thought of them to ask myself.
Cheers,
Zygoma


Awesome, I'm glad you got something out of it. I wasn't sure whether to post as I can see Mowgli's been round a long time and I didn't wanna seem patronising.