A noob's thread...

[Bosje]

Originally Posted by www2

OK...getting the hang of it now. So it's something like 1940's homing missile, but doesnt follow heat, but rather relies on pure math.

basically, yes
the torpedo shoots out of the boat straight ahead at first and then after a little while it turns according to the programmed course (so that it meets the ship at the same spot at the same time) if the ship is stationary and right in front of you, the torpedo won't need to turn at all.
the trick is to shoot at moving targets so that the torpedo goes as straight as possible, so you shoot before the target crosses your bow (I hope that was clear)

[Bosje]

auto target is active as long as you have the 'manual targeting' turned off

if you see yellow triangles underneath ships as you watch them through the periscope, you know it works. what it does is calculate the torpedo track for you (the turn which the torpedo makes after being fired)
it's not a guarantee for hits though. there are plenty reasons for torpedoes to miss or malfunction (or even do a full circle to hit you in the behind)
war is hell

SD radar (air) is always active, you have no control
SJ radar (surface) can be controlled by you but it has to be available and installed on your boat. check the systems/weaponry screen to see if it's there.

and play around for a while, you'll come to grips easier

[ETR3(SS)]

You probably don't have radar installed yet. The consoles are always there even though you might not have it onboard.

[kylesplanet]

If it is 1941 you don't have surface radar. It doesn't become available until June of 42 I believe. I you recieve a radar contact, it is an aircraft. Your SD radar is always on and you always have it.