Sonar "Send range to TDC" button broken?

Submarine_newbie · 10-22-11, 04:58 AM

So, i just got this game 2 days ago and it is the first submarine simulation i have played, seems fun so far.

Now the thing is, i found a lonely merchant ship just waiting to be shot and i had a nice approach allowing me to shoot it right from the side, but when i was pinging for its range as it had no escorts to hear, i noticed that the UI button Send range to TDC doesnt work, and instead i had to go to the sonar room and flip the switch myself. (Not that much of trouble though

) So i was wondering does anyone else have this?

I'm goin' down · 10-22-11, 05:46 AM

What is the UI button? I have never heard of it.

First calculate the target's speed and enter it (i.e., send it to the TDC) by clicking on the button located at the top the range feature on the Attack Dials.

Second, using the range feature on the Attack Dial, set the range. You line up the mast of the target with its keel on the split image. I believe this feature is called the stadimeter. It gives you the range to the target. Enter it by clicking on the button at the top of the Attack Dial. Turn on the PK.

Third, enter the Aob using the Aob feature on the Attack Dial, and enter it by clicking on the button at the top of the Attack Dial. To get the Aob it helps if you know the target's course, which, using the Easy Aob mod, you can set using the Aob dial and matching its position to the target's course on ships' dials on left (TDC) side of the screen.

Review the Easy Aob thread if you need help with that mod.

Alternatives to using the Easy Aob mod. gutted's Solution Solver program will help you determine the target's course. You can input speed into the program, and it will provide you with the firing point on the periscope for fast or slow torpedoes. Also, try the Dick O'Kane method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, the RocknShoals' constant bearing method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, the John Cromwell method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, Nisgeis' 3D TDC and Radar Range mod (see the mods forum), and the CapnScurvy's OTC mod (see the mods forum). This ought to keep you busy for awhile.

If you want to attack using sonar, then I recommend reviewing the Sonar Only attack videos in the Skipper's Bag of Tricks thread. The videos will walk you through the methodology. Basically, it involves getting plotting the target's course and deriving its speed via sonar readings, lining up for a broadside (i.e. an attack using the Dick O'Kane method), and waiting until the target is in position for the shot. Your sonarman will anounce the bearing of the target, so you will know when it crosses the bearing where you fire your torpedoes (referred to as "crossing the wire" by the famous Rockin Robbins.)

Submarine_newbie · 10-22-11, 06:21 AM

Yes, i know how to use the TDC, but in the lower left corner where there is the row of yellow buttons, when you choose sonar and then there are the buttons to estimate range to target and ask the sonar officer to list sound contacts etc, there is a button called send range to TDC, next to a button called send bearing to TDC.

Also it seems that the UI button to ask the sonar officer to ping the range of enemy ship, instead of pinging the enemy ship, gives you the range data from the TDC.

I'm goin' down · 10-22-11, 01:02 PM

When you know the bearing of the target and set the sonar dial on that bearing, you can ping the target and get its range. It will be sent to the TDC. Unless the PK is activated, the TDC wil not update range. If the sonar dial is not set on or near the target's bearing, you will not receive the return ping and will not get its range. If there are lots of targets at or near the bearing of "your" proposed target, it is a crap shoot as to whether your sonarman will provide you with the correct range via a return ping. He may give the range for another target.

If you have a PPI screen, as in the OTC mod, where you can see the target blips on radar, you can ascertain the bearing of blip for your target by eyeballing the screen, and try to ping that bearing to get its range. I usually focus on the closest target, as the sonarman will follow that target, so getting its bearing is the easiest.

Gerald · 10-22-11, 01:11 PM

@ Submarine newbie! Welcome to SubSim,

Submarine_newbie · 10-22-11, 01:31 PM

Ahh, so it was just a matter of having the position keeper activated, thanks for the help.

And thanks for the welcome Vendor.

10-22-11, 04:58 AM	#1
Submarine_newbie Nub Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sonar "Send range to TDC" button broken? So, i just got this game 2 days ago and it is the first submarine simulation i have played, seems fun so far. Now the thing is, i found a lonely merchant ship just waiting to be shot and i had a nice approach allowing me to shoot it right from the side, but when i was pinging for its range as it had no escorts to hear, i noticed that the UI button Send range to TDC doesnt work, and instead i had to go to the sonar room and flip the switch myself. (Not that much of trouble though ) So i was wondering does anyone else have this?

10-22-11, 05:46 AM	#2
I'm goin' down Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Notify command we have entered the Grass Sea Posts: 2,822 Downloads: 813 Uploads: 0	This might help What is the UI button? I have never heard of it. First calculate the target's speed and enter it (i.e., send it to the TDC) by clicking on the button located at the top the range feature on the Attack Dials. Second, using the range feature on the Attack Dial, set the range. You line up the mast of the target with its keel on the split image. I believe this feature is called the stadimeter. It gives you the range to the target. Enter it by clicking on the button at the top of the Attack Dial. Turn on the PK. Third, enter the Aob using the Aob feature on the Attack Dial, and enter it by clicking on the button at the top of the Attack Dial. To get the Aob it helps if you know the target's course, which, using the Easy Aob mod, you can set using the Aob dial and matching its position to the target's course on ships' dials on left (TDC) side of the screen. Review the Easy Aob thread if you need help with that mod. Alternatives to using the Easy Aob mod. gutted's Solution Solver program will help you determine the target's course. You can input speed into the program, and it will provide you with the firing point on the periscope for fast or slow torpedoes. Also, try the Dick O'Kane method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, the RocknShoals' constant bearing method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, the John Cromwell method (see the Skippers' Bag of Tricks thread) which works when the PK is not activated, Nisgeis' 3D TDC and Radar Range mod (see the mods forum), and the CapnScurvy's OTC mod (see the mods forum). This ought to keep you busy for awhile. If you want to attack using sonar, then I recommend reviewing the Sonar Only attack videos in the Skipper's Bag of Tricks thread. The videos will walk you through the methodology. Basically, it involves getting plotting the target's course and deriving its speed via sonar readings, lining up for a broadside (i.e. an attack using the Dick O'Kane method), and waiting until the target is in position for the shot. Your sonarman will anounce the bearing of the target, so you will know when it crosses the bearing where you fire your torpedoes (referred to as "crossing the wire" by the famous Rockin Robbins.) Last edited by I'm goin' down; 10-22-11 at 12:50 PM.

10-22-11, 01:02 PM	#4
I'm goin' down Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Notify command we have entered the Grass Sea Posts: 2,822 Downloads: 813 Uploads: 0	When you know the bearing of the target and set the sonar dial on that bearing, you can ping the target and get its range. It will be sent to the TDC. Unless the PK is activated, the TDC wil not update range. If the sonar dial is not set on or near the target's bearing, you will not receive the return ping and will not get its range. If there are lots of targets at or near the bearing of "your" proposed target, it is a crap shoot as to whether your sonarman will provide you with the correct range via a return ping. He may give the range for another target. If you have a PPI screen, as in the OTC mod, where you can see the target blips on radar, you can ascertain the bearing of blip for your target by eyeballing the screen, and try to ping that bearing to get its range. I usually focus on the closest target, as the sonarman will follow that target, so getting its bearing is the easiest. Last edited by I'm goin' down; 10-22-11 at 05:44 PM.

10-22-11, 01:11 PM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	@ Submarine newbie! Welcome to SubSim, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-22-11, 06:21 AM	#3
Submarine_newbie Nub Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yes, i know how to use the TDC, but in the lower left corner where there is the row of yellow buttons, when you choose sonar and then there are the buttons to estimate range to target and ask the sonar officer to list sound contacts etc, there is a button called send range to TDC, next to a button called send bearing to TDC. Also it seems that the UI button to ask the sonar officer to ping the range of enemy ship, instead of pinging the enemy ship, gives you the range data from the TDC.

10-22-11, 01:31 PM	#6
Submarine_newbie Nub Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ahh, so it was just a matter of having the position keeper activated, thanks for the help. And thanks for the welcome Vendor.