You, would think so... but... remember, that for the Uboat... The radio room area, was also home to the Uboats... 'ears', as well... aka the sonar equipment.
Which, unlike their counterpart in the U. S. fleetboat service... had that, located in the conning tower on the newer subs. The S class, being the exception which had theirs in the control room... since the conning tower was little more than a means to get to the bridge.
The radio/sonar section, was also where... the Kaleun, went to gather his thoughts when he had some time for... privacy, as well.. though in a more... limited fashion.
Of course, looking at the config of the uboat... it stands to reason, as to the arrangement of it... the radio/sonar set up... was well away from the noisy engine section... which, was important... as noise from the engines... e motors via the props... would interfere with sound pick up. Hence... that narrow 20 degree dead zone.. (10 to each side of 180) as to the rest... well, that depended greatly on the type equipment used... believe there was 1 set up that covered 140-150 degrees leaving a dead zone both fore & aft... & then there was the 1 that allowed for 360 degree sound pick up, with that same read 20 degree dead zone, if the e motors were in use. The down side with that last unit, was... it could easily (more easily than the internal 140-150 side scan unit...
) NOT to say that, it couldn't get damaged... just that it took a bit more to do so.
Yet, while away from the engine compartment, it was still in close proximity to... the control room... or command section.
M. M.