Auto targeting pk problem
 

I have a problem with the position keeper using auto targeting. I encountered a small convoy traveling at 16 knots. I sank one ship and damaged the other, went deep to reload, and got ahead of the damaged ship. It is now running at 6 to 7 knots, but every time I lock on it with the periscope, the keeper shows it still running at 16 knots. If I turn the keeper on, the white x on the attack map runs way ahead of the ship. How do I get the thing to reset so it will pick up the actual current speed? I have tried a save and reload, and that did not work. Turning the keeper on and off does not work. Changing targets in the periscope and then going back the the wounded ship does not work - the keeper insists that the ship is running at 16 knots.

SH4 1.5
TMOwtw

As far as I know you don't need the PK when using auto targeting, as soon as you lock on the target it'll keep track of it.

Purpose of the PK (Position Keeper) is to keep track of the position, hence the name. Sight with periscope, lock on, TDC will indeed automagically keep track of the target - as long as you leave the scope up and it stays locked on. The PK is to keep track of where the target SHOULD be (assuming no change in course or speed by the target) when you lower the periscope and lose sight of the target. In real life they didn't leave the periscope sticking up for more than 10 seconds.

With manual targeting;
1. Lock on.
2. Click PK button so it turns red.
3. Down scope. Wait a few minutes.
4. Up scope, note range and bearing as reported by PK.
5. Click PK button to turn it off.
6. Re-lock target, see if there's a major difference in range and bearing.

With auto targeting you're riding with training wheels anyway, each observation gives instantaneous correct data, so checking the accuracy of earlier observations and correcting the target speed and course isn't needed as much. Only real use for PK is to keep track while the scope is down.

Main thing with either auto or manual targeting is the "final bearing and shoot" observation, make sure the PK is OFF so the torpedo gyros have the most recent solution.

An update - as I continued to stalk the wounded ship, it showed 16 knots every time I locked the periscope view on it - with or without activating the PK. Interestingly, the little triangle in the periscope view did not light up on the ship until I locked the periscope. As I got closer, suddenly the little triangle did light up without locking, and the TDC/PK showed the correct current speed - 7 knots. Two torpedoes later, down went 10,000 tons of Jap shipping! I don't understand why it was showing the wrong speed until I got closer, but it all worked out in the end.

Tohowalk

I've noticed this at longer ranges, where the triangle doesn't show up unless I lock (and the lock only lasts a few seconds). The PK tends to default to about 2/3 the target ship's max speed. You just have to get closer for a more perfect solution