External Patrol Logs

[Longknife]

I was wondering if anyone else maintains an external Patrol Log for your SH adventures?

I recently started a new career & thought keeping my own patrol log might prove interesting & informative. I opted to go with an Excel spreadsheet & I am keeping track of the following data: Date/Time, Location, Target, Tonnage, Range, AOB, Speed, Torps Fired, Torps Hit, Location of hit, Duds, Time hit, Time sank, Notes.

My thinking was I might be able to learn something about my own habits & limitations. Also how closely my experiances match historical record.

So is anyone else keeping a external log whether electronically or manually?

[fireftr18]

I never really thought about doing it. I recently posted a log style story, mostly for a little laugh (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2302400&postcount=761). All of the specific information in it, came from the in game log. Next time I start a career, I may start my own log just for the heck of it.

[CCIP]

I've tried a few digital forms of notekeeping (usually google docs), but every time I go back to paper and pencils and basic notes. I now have tomes and tomes of patrol notes/logs. I find them difficult to post on their own as they're way too long or too technical, but I've been trying to turn them into more readable narrative stories - as you can see with my ongoing Soviet AAR!

Here's the notes I'm keeping for it (in Russian, as they ought to be):

http://i.imgur.com/COAu2M3.jpg

Chicken scratch though it may be, I still find it superior to typed notes because it keeps my head in the game instead of in another screen/window.

[SquareCanine]

I like the idea. I don't think I'm up for anything particularly detailed, but I might start recording ship type, time, and general location of the sinking. If I get really ambitious I'll find a notepad and do it by hand so that it feels right, then think about typing it up later.

[les green01]

i use notepad to write the story but also use kims_report to do the log

[Sailor Steve]

I write down everything, and have for years. When the patrol is finished I type it up properly.

[TorpX]

YES!

I mean, doesn't everybody?

I have my general log, which has ordinary narrative stuff, orders, objectives, positional fixes, times, etc.,etc.

It also has engineering data, that is indispensable, such as; speed at X setting, in sea-state Y. (You don't want to run out of fuel, do you?) Also, I use 'house rules' that require me to track various things.

Additionally, I have a target data sheet, which aids in plotting. This is essential if you don't use map-contacts. This is always written in pencil, so I can make changes.

[Scarredclown]

Well, first i have to survive a few patrol.... :oops:

[Torplexed]

I often drew up maps of my patrols, showing the route and notes for ships sunk.

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Battlemap.jpg

[Armistead]

The internal game one was all I needed. However, with making mods, i bet I filled out a few spiral notebooks

[TorpX]

I often drew up maps of my patrols, showing the route and notes for ships sunk.



Nice! I like it. :yep:

[Longknife]

Thanks guys! It's nice to see I am not alone & especially gratifying that no one thinks I need to get out more :haha:

I think I will switch to a manual patrol log. While the spreadsheet is nice for keeping track of data it seem a bit to sterile & lacks panache.

I think I will buy a ledger & start a new career.