How to manually input range?

klh · 11-14-07, 07:16 AM

I searched through the forums, but can't find an answer to this one:

How do I set the range dial on the TDC without using the stadimeter? When I first make contact on a target, I get a rough idea of course and speed, from which I can also get AOB. I can set those manually in the TDC. What I would then like to do is set a distance (say 10,000 yards) when the convoy first comes in to visual range, and start the position keeper. That way I could manuever and keep track of when I need to be popping up the scope to refine my solution. Another situation is when the sea state is too high, so I need to guess the range using the scope marks instead of trying to use the stadimeter between waves.

The problem is that on the range dial, all I can set is the mast height. And that doesn't help me because I can't use the stadimeter on a target that I can't really see yet. I haven't been able to figure out how to set the actual range. Am I missing something?

Fincuan · 11-14-07, 07:24 AM

You can always lock the ship you want(you must do this to get the stadimeter to work), then use the stadimeter to get the range. In this case, insted of lining the waterline of the ghost image to the mast of the real one, you look at the range dial on the right and then adjust the range by moving the ghost image up and down until the dial points at the correct range. Then you send it to the TDC as usual. Note that you don't need to identify the ship, any preset mast height will do since you won't be looking at the periscope anyway.

Rockin Robbins · 11-14-07, 07:46 AM

Ok, this may be confusing so I'll post some screenshots. There seems to be a limitation of setting for a max of 1100 yards manually. I think if you're shooting from beyond that you need to rethink your attack, but some like to shoot from extreme range. They are the ones wondering why they miss their targets...

When you pop up the range portion of the TDC, on the right hand dial there is a clear plastic triangle that has the crosshair on it. You can grab that and manually move it to the range you want. It looks like you can go to 1300 yards but it will only move to 1100. Make sure you hit the send range/bearing button after you do.

Pictures at 11!

klh · 11-14-07, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate any help with this.

Allow me to clarify...

Quote:

You can always lock the ship you want

Fincuan, what I'm trying to do is set a range when I can't lock onto a ship (for example, I'm too far away or the sea state is too high). I agree and use your approach to arbitrarily set a range by moving the stadimeter, but this won't work if I can't lock onto a target.

Quote:

When you pop up the range portion of the TDC, on the right hand dial there is a clear plastic triangle that has the crosshair on it. You can grab that and manually move it to the range you want. It looks like you can go to 1300 yards but it will only move to 1100.

RR, I think you're having the same problem because what you're doing is moving the mast height setting, which rotates the range dial, but I'd like to see screenshots to be sure. What I want to do is grap the range dial myself and rotate it to any range (beyond 1100) (Think SH3 TDC, which allows me to set a range manually). And I'm not shooting from that distance, just setting up my attack. The advantage to me would be I could go deep for a while, then know when to surface because the PK is giving me updates. Does that make any sense?

Thanks again, keep the ideas coming.

jazman · 11-14-07, 01:32 PM

There is a strange behavior with that range dial. Without using the stadimeter at all you can go up to 1100 yards by just selecting that thing on the outer edge and moving it. You will probably need to set it, send the data to TDC, see what range you really picked, and adjust it. In other words, the granularity on that input dial is pretty coarse.

Then, you need to use the stadimeter as already described earlier to go beyond 1100 yards, which invariably happens as you typically start tracking from a fair distance. However, you are now in another "range" of that input dial, and you can't go below 1100 manually. So you'd have to use the stadimeter again to get into that section.

That happens because you may want to verify your settings periodically, and when you want to go back below 1100 it's time to fiddle with the stadimeter.

It's all very quirky and annoying. It's fun fiddling with all this while trying to line up a shot on a fast ship.

Powerthighs · 11-14-07, 02:02 PM

As RR indicates, you can't turn the range dial itself. If you grab the outer dial (the mast height indicator), you can twist it around to get a ranges up to about 1100 yards.

If you need farther than that and can't get the stadimeter to work (which is annoying, the stadimeter should work even if you don't have a ship locked), you are screwed.

Rockin Robbins · 11-14-07, 06:13 PM

Ok, this here is the manual range input seminar where y'all are gonna learn to abuse the equipment even more than the Dick O'Kane tactic. Let's take a look at the right dial of the TDC, where all the input takes place. First press the range button to select range and bearing. Usually the next thing you do would be to push the stadimeter button.

There we go. The pointer is aimed at the clear plastic with the indicator line on it. We can grab it with the mouse and rotate it to set the range. Here it is set to 1200 yards. Just release and hit the red send range/bearing button to send the range to the TDC. DON'T FORGET YOU ARE ALSO SENDING THE BEARING YOUR PERISCOPE IS POINTING TO RIGHT NOW!!!!!! You have been warned. If you get burned, blame Ducimus. If you like it, send your tuition to me.

11-14-07, 07:16 AM	#1
klh Der Alte Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 227 Downloads: 200 Uploads: 0	How to manually input range? I searched through the forums, but can't find an answer to this one: How do I set the range dial on the TDC without using the stadimeter? When I first make contact on a target, I get a rough idea of course and speed, from which I can also get AOB. I can set those manually in the TDC. What I would then like to do is set a distance (say 10,000 yards) when the convoy first comes in to visual range, and start the position keeper. That way I could manuever and keep track of when I need to be popping up the scope to refine my solution. Another situation is when the sea state is too high, so I need to guess the range using the scope marks instead of trying to use the stadimeter between waves. The problem is that on the range dial, all I can set is the mast height. And that doesn't help me because I can't use the stadimeter on a target that I can't really see yet. I haven't been able to figure out how to set the actual range. Am I missing something?

11-14-07, 07:46 AM	#3
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	I'll make some screenshots but here's the verbal Ok, this may be confusing so I'll post some screenshots. There seems to be a limitation of setting for a max of 1100 yards manually. I think if you're shooting from beyond that you need to rethink your attack, but some like to shoot from extreme range. They are the ones wondering why they miss their targets... When you pop up the range portion of the TDC, on the right hand dial there is a clear plastic triangle that has the crosshair on it. You can grab that and manually move it to the range you want. It looks like you can go to 1300 yards but it will only move to 1100. Make sure you hit the send range/bearing button after you do. Pictures at 11! __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

11-14-07, 01:32 PM	#5
jazman Commander Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Crush Depth Posts: 449 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	There is a strange behavior with that range dial. Without using the stadimeter at all you can go up to 1100 yards by just selecting that thing on the outer edge and moving it. You will probably need to set it, send the data to TDC, see what range you really picked, and adjust it. In other words, the granularity on that input dial is pretty coarse. Then, you need to use the stadimeter as already described earlier to go beyond 1100 yards, which invariably happens as you typically start tracking from a fair distance. However, you are now in another "range" of that input dial, and you can't go below 1100 manually. So you'd have to use the stadimeter again to get into that section. That happens because you may want to verify your settings periodically, and when you want to go back below 1100 it's time to fiddle with the stadimeter. It's all very quirky and annoying. It's fun fiddling with all this while trying to line up a shot on a fast ship. __________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." -- Chesterton

11-14-07, 06:13 PM	#7
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Manual range input tutorial Ok, this here is the manual range input seminar where y'all are gonna learn to abuse the equipment even more than the Dick O'Kane tactic. Let's take a look at the right dial of the TDC, where all the input takes place. First press the range button to select range and bearing. Usually the next thing you do would be to push the stadimeter button. There we go. The pointer is aimed at the clear plastic with the indicator line on it. We can grab it with the mouse and rotate it to set the range. Here it is set to 1200 yards. Just release and hit the red send range/bearing button to send the range to the TDC. DON'T FORGET YOU ARE ALSO SENDING THE BEARING YOUR PERISCOPE IS POINTING TO RIGHT NOW!!!!!! You have been warned. If you get burned, blame Ducimus. If you like it, send your tuition to me. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

11-14-07, 07:24 AM	#2
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	You can always lock the ship you want(you must do this to get the stadimeter to work), then use the stadimeter to get the range. In this case, insted of lining the waterline of the ghost image to the mast of the real one, you look at the range dial on the right and then adjust the range by moving the ghost image up and down until the dial points at the correct range. Then you send it to the TDC as usual. Note that you don't need to identify the ship, any preset mast height will do since you won't be looking at the periscope anyway.

11-14-07, 02:02 PM	#6
Powerthighs Beach Leaf Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 287 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	As RR indicates, you can't turn the range dial itself. If you grab the outer dial (the mast height indicator), you can twist it around to get a ranges up to about 1100 yards. If you need farther than that and can't get the stadimeter to work (which is annoying, the stadimeter should work even if you don't have a ship locked), you are screwed.