I started out with the 688 edition many years back, have tried dangerous waters and recently got sub command -
I "get" the principles of sonar, ive read and read and read - but its so darn confusing!
When i start a mission - i basically deploy the towed array, check depth etc and start listening - however i always end up with a balls nest of contacts, not sure which one is right. Im familiar with all the controls - however, i just cant seem to "crack" these games!
What is a beginners approach? At the moment i start with narrowband, if there is nothing there i try broad. If i get sounds on towed, i change course to find out which is false and drop it.
Then i head over to demon, check the blade count (3-4 = surface), 5 + = sub.. (more or less).. then i try id the contact via the frequencies and start assigning the speed (tpk) into the TMA screen..
I just seem to end up getting lost between contacts, duplicates - its driving me nuts.. Like say for instance, will a towed array give the same contact at a slightly different bearing than spherical? it makes sense since its far out the back -
stuff like this continually perplexes me even though I have an idea of the workings -
I have all the manuals, ive watched guys click through maps on youtube (obviously replays which they know well!) - any idea on a roadmap approach to get me closer to the TRUE contacts and their id's?
Mr below average sub sinker!!