[TorpX]

1. Regarding active sonar, can all ships (including merchants) detect when they're being pinged and begin evasive maneuver/attack?

2. Comparing apples to oranges, what is more accurate, Using stadimeter and periscope to obtain final range/bearing or using active sonar? Which one is less conspicuous? What are the advantages/disadvantages to both?

3. Concerning radar (surface and air search), from how far can the enemy detect your signals assuming they can detect them?

1. Merchant ships and the like shouldn't be able to hear you. I don't know about escorts, TBH. I always just assumed they were "listening".

2. Active sonar will be more accurate. The stadimeter requires that the mast height of the target be known. This is not always the case. Also, there are visibility issues (graphics issues) to consider.

3. I would assume that if the enemy has the capability to detect them, they could do so to the edge of the horizon ( taking the mast ht. into consideration). Remember, it is always easier to 'hear' the original signal, than it's echo. That is, when you 'ping' a ship, you must be able to hear the echo, but anyone else in the vicinity, only need be able to hear the original 'ping'. In other words, the 'ping' is always louder than the 'echo'. This applies to radar, too.

I really have no idea why you would be encountering so many ships like that. Perhaps, you got caught up in a invasion traffic pattern. Are you using the RSRDC mod?



Edit: I see Stealhead has better information. You would probably be better off to follow his advice as far as SH 4 goes.