hydrophones below thermal layer

[Joe S]

Are hydrophones supposed to work below a thermal layer/ I dove under a thermal layer to allow the escorts to pass over, and when I popped up to periscope depth the entire convoy had passed over, my sonar man and the sonar lines on the map did not indicate that the ships were passing over. This is correct? Thanks! Joe S

[Powerthighs]

Sonar should still work under the thermal layer, just not as well. I'm not sure if the game only models the effect to active sonar across a layer, or if it affects passive (hydrophones) as well.

Another thing it keep in mind is you can't hear things right behind your sub as the noise of your screws blocks it out.

[John Channing]

Something else that people forget about the Sonar Operator is that if you order him to track a specific target (Closest Contact or Warship) he will track only that contact, ignoring everything else, until you tell him to stop by either clicking on the Closest Contact/Closest Warship button again or clicking on the Normal weep button.

Once you do that all of the other contact lines will be updated continuously by the Plot team based on information from the Sonar Man.

JCC

[Joe S]

I didnt know there was a track closest warship option, how do I do that? Thanks! JoeS

[scrag]

In real life the layer - if strong enough will form a surface half channel and keep the skimmers signature bundled between the layer and surface. This is also called a surface duct. It would have the same effect on his active too. Some of the sound rays will escape depending on the angle they interact with the layer and will be detectable. There is more to it but that is the gist. Game mechanics wise who knows (developers probably). I generally do not depend to greatly on what the sonarman says as he is operating on a very limited system.

[-Pv-]

As John mentions, you probably lost the conatacts in your baffles. I usually get useful information from my soundman (and even more when I do it myself) under the layer.
-Pv-