When active sonar has you, can you tell?
 

This topic could have been posted in any number of forums here, but I like this one ... mainly you have folks her with real world experience/knowledge ... if I try the SH3 forum, I doubt there are many WWII sub vets lurking about anyway.

So, I am playing AOD, SH1, SH2/PA, SC, and SCX. All have surface ships using ASDIC/Active Sonar conducting ASW. In AOD and SH1, there is a clear tonal indication if active sonar has you. In SH2, there doesn't seem to be something similar. In SC, you get a signal intensity meter (not really so clear cut).

My question: Is the distinct tonal change modeled in AOD and SH1 something realistic or was it just a player aid done to enhance game play? My very ignorant thoughts on the matter is modern active sonar is relatively 360 degrees in nature whereas WWII active sonar was focused. So, perhaps the distinct tonal change was basically an indication whether you were hearing the focused beam or just radiated sound.

Comments?

Thanks.

Guessing is the only way. And it's not that difficult, as the AI will usually shot right away once they have detected you.

And IIRC in SC the active sonar intensity level doesn't change with range, dunno if this was fixed or not in DW.

Re: When active sonar has you, can you tell?
 

I don't know what the change in pitch you're talking about is, but modern sonar can be just as focussed. In fact, directivity is one way to cut down ambient noise and improve your system's performance.

The difference is that in the old days, they mechanically moved the hydrophones to alter the beam pattern. These days, they control the beam pattern by adjusting the phase difference between the signals emitted by the different hydrophones in the array. Sonars today have multiple modes of operation which generate different beam patterns that one might choose for optimal performance.

The pitch change in WW2 sonars could come from ship turning toward you. Because of Dopler effect you should get slight, but audible pitch change of the pings. And since most ships were using mine to kill, they had to go toward you.
Dopler does not work on active pings in DW. You always get for example 7500 Hz. Sometimes it seems there is some Dopler effect on passive NB lines. At least for circling torpedes some lines moves .. but some dont .. they should move all.