Question about Contact Reports??

[Rab09]

Could someone Please explane to me, what the rules are in reguards to making Contact Reports?? In my first patrol out of Manila, I came across a Task Force and reported same. I get an order to inflect major damage to said Task Force ( in a S-18 class boat), which is made up of 8 Shiratsuyu class destroyers, 1 Mogami class heavy cruiser, 1 Furutaka heavy cruiser, 2 Kongo class battleships and last but not least 1 Small Old Tanker.. Ok, managed to get into fireing range (abit long 2800yds) but with there speed at 11kts and me submerged, I sent 3 fish at last cruiser in line (Mogami) and 1 at the Tanker. I went very deep and moved away from them. All fish missed ( still learning how to set fish for proper depth ) I got away surfaced and took off after them. Many hours later with out chargeing batteries (need that 1kt gain in speed) I again made contact, but they have changed course. I try to make another Contact Report to give the new course and speed but NOTHING wont let me. Is there a time limit?? or ???

I Would also like to say Thank You to ALL who post on SubSims forums for SHIV and SHIII, for many, many, many hours of GREAT reading and Education, I have recieved over the years..
I also was wondering if other ppl have trouble coming to these forums, to just check on 1 thing and then go and continue your patrol. But you don't as you spent your play time READING instead!! And of course the next day you do the same thing, and so on

[-Pv-]

The contact report funcationality is as follows:
1) Surfaced.
2) Locked onto non-escort target within 4,500 yards.
Stay on the surface until you get orders and follow the orders (if possible.)

You only need to make one contact report per convoy. Whatever orders you get in the 1st contact is in effect for the entire duration of the convoy's existance.
Loss of contact or change in convoy vessels or course/speed is not a factor.
-Pv-

[Payoff]

I find it is much safer to go to 30ft (set manually clicking on the depth guage), that way only the tower pokes out and you can send your message then slip back below the waves to peri depth. I have done this in the middle of a convoy before and went undetected. Oh & yes these boards are addictive. Just cant stop reading. Oh yeah WELCOME ABOARD.

[CaptainHaplo]

Welcome Aboard!

There is a one hour time limit - and I am not sure you can report the same contact more than once. The idea being that you already have your orders to attack.

[Rab09]

First things first. Thank you for the responce.. Payoff, thanks for the tip, after playing SHIII since it came out, I never though of doing it that way. That would be the safe way to get off report, when submerged.
I found out last night you can give another contact report on same Task Force. I was able to play tag with it for 2 days and they changed course again and this time was able to report the course change. Still not sure if it was because of the 48hr. time frame or that it made 2 course changes, from original heading?? But I will keep trying and I will find the rules.. Thanks again for the help and tips..