forum newbie with Q's and O's

[superfecta]

Greetings to All:
I have been playing SH3 patched to 1.4b and have downloaded GWX2.1 but haven't installed yet because as I understand it, you have to uninstall and reinstall SH3 with patch to have a "clean" version for GWX to use. is this correct?
I have a career going in SH3 that I don't want to give up yet. Also 3 things that frustrate me a bit:
1. Is there a way to annotate the nav-map? ie; in plotting a convoy route I would like to put time stamps at markers as to when I think they will be there.
2. Is there a way to enter a course in degrees? (something I got used to in Janes 688I) The little course change wheel is .... well.....too little!
3. When using the deck gun binocular, I will sometimes switch back to periscope view to update for precise range; but when I go back to deck gun I have to re-elevate to where it was. is there any way to get the deck gun binocular range to stay where I left it?
Will GWX address any of the above?
Also I've noticed that hitting the L (lock) button in periscope view repeatedly while slowly scanning has returned contacts 20km+ ranges! Very handy in poor visual conditions. I used to feel guilty about this until I saw a destroyer go from 0 to 15 knots in under 3 seconds!?!? what the......
Will GWX disable this feature/ flaw?
In the deck gun binocular view I see the range index goes as high as 20000m. Hmmm.... wondering if its possible to get the attention of an escort or two to "cull the herd" before making an attack on a convoy. Has anyone tried the gun at high ranges with any kind of results?
Lastly..... the dang aircraft are really getting pesky...... I'm in late '42 in my career and figure it's only a matter of time before they start attacking from UNDER my boat. does anyone know when?