Could SV radar really pick up surface contacts? it can in the game.
 

TMO 2.0

RSRD

Balao class Feb 1945 out of Subic Bay.SV radar picks up surface contacts as well as air contacts.This a boo boo or it really worked like that?

Could get both. A search showed these ranges for the SV

Maximum reliable range. (miles): Bombers, at 30,000 ft 7.5
Bombers, at 10,000 ft 10
Fighters, at 10,000 ft 12
Battleships 12.5
Cruisers 15
Destroyers 10
Submarines, surfaced 7.5

Resolution: Range (yd.) 5.7 Bearing (deg.) 5Accuracy: SV SV-1 Range (yd.) +-(50+0.1%). 15+-1%. Bearing (deg.) +-2. 1/2.Minimum range (yd.) 400. 400.

Yes all radars worked on the same principles, it was mainly the orientation and frequency what was tweaked to have them better detect those or the other targets. But it was always possible to detect all things in each radar.