Radio contacts and Fuel Consumption
 

What is the point of radio contacts? You report a warship, big deal. It locks on to your transmission and blows you to hell.

Fuel consumption: What is the best speed that gives you the best fuel economy. After all, gas prices are SO high these days. But seriously.

Most subs have certain "sweet spots". I -think- that the sweet spot of the VIIB/C is 9 knots. This gives the most range for the amount of fuel. I think. If it's not 9, it's damned close. :D

I've always relied on ahead 1/3. Combined with running below surface, I have always made it back to base.

What about radio contacts though?

Radio contacts give you something to do. I don't believe that they are neccessary to play the game, but reporting contacts was something that the real-life radioman would have done. It's a bit like pressing the seatbelt and no smoking button in the cockpit of a Microsoft Flight Simulator jet plane.

That being said, there is anectdotal evidence that calling in radio contacts may bring in Axis bombers that will attempt to kill your contact. I've never seen that myself, and it could just be coincidence, but there you go.

acctually if you press the contact button there is a chance that a airstrike will come and help this has happend twice for me its like a 1 in 7 chance