Playing with WoS mod - need help!

[IcyWaters]

I'm just picking up SH5 again but I never really played it thoroughly before. My last sub sim was SH3 so many, many years ago!

I've installed SH5 and added the Wolves of Steel mod. I'm playing the first mission, Baltic Operations. I've spotted a convoy of three ships while my sub was on the surface and I've spent most of the night just following it. Now the convoy has made a right turn and I've cut the corner to bring them closer. Rough estimate from the Nav map is that they're 10-15km away. I submerge and try to use the hydrophone to work out their speed and course. My operator can get the contacts and bearing, but cannot tell me their distance. Why is this? Is 10-15km too far away?

The sonar operator will just say "contact warship, moving slow, moving away, bearing 093, long range."

[vdr1981]

Originally Posted by IcyWaters

The sonar operator will just say "contact warship, moving slow, moving away, bearing 093, long range."

I don't get you there, what's wrong whit sonarmen's report?
What kind of report would you like to hear?

This picture will help you a bit to understand how actually hydrophone detection works with WoS when sub is equipped with multiple hydrophone instruments...

[IcyWaters]

When will he give me a numerical value for range? ie, instead of long/medium/short range, he'll say 10km or 8km...

Currently, it is night time in the game so I cannot visually engage the target.

[vdr1981]

Originally Posted by IcyWaters

When will he give me a numerical value for range? ie, instead of long/medium/short range, he'll say 10km or 8km...

Never, because it's not realistic at all...
You'll find command for sonar contact range estimation in sonarmen's GUI commands menu but it is highly randomized and very unreliable, just as it should be...
Precise range to target (aka active sonar) is removed in WoS because it is more a cheat than actual feature...

[IcyWaters]

Ah, I just watched stoianm1's video about engaging targets with hydrophone. I guess this is not possible under true realistic settings?

Does that mean that subs are unable to engage targets (using torps) at night or bad weather?

[vdr1981]

Originally Posted by IcyWaters

Ah, I just watched stoianm1's video about engaging targets with hydrophone. I guess this is not possible under true realistic settings?

Does that mean that subs are unable to engage targets (using torps) at night or bad weather?

Of course you can, just not by using badly simulated features.
Active sonar (S-Gerat) was rarely used in german U-boat operations because the device it self has more disadvantages than actual benefits. Those disadvantages are not simulated at all in SH5 so it has to be removed. If I remember correctly, it was eventually put out of use at some point during the WWII..Here's some good read...http://www.uboataces.com/hydrophones.shtml
It's all up to you captain...