Noob questions about SJ Surface Radar

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Havan_IronOak

I got my first SJ radar equipped boat and I want to know all about my new toy...


I turned this on after I left the vicinity of Pearl (I didn't realize that it defaulted to off until I got my first sighting contact the "old fashioned" hydrophone way.)


I switched the set on by manually going to the set and flipping the switch. Actually, I tried the Ctrl T hotkey and didn't see anything in the message window so I tried it again. When that failed I went to the set and flipped the switch.

I now understand that the Ctrl T hotkey actually worked the first time but that no message gets displayed. Trying it again actually turned off the unit.

I see that there are three range settings... is there a downside for selecting anything other than max?

I also see that there are two modes, Sweep & Focus can someone either tell me or point me to an explanation of what the differences are?

Finally, some questions on how this type of Radar is modeled in the game...
1) Will always having this on really attract a lotta flies? It doesn't seem like it should because the Japanese were pretty oblivious to Radar but I'm guessing that in-game that's not really true.
2) Should I turn OFF my SD radar now that I've got the SJ set? I understand that it picked up airborne contacts as well.

While my experience in FOTRS is limited as opposed to TMO but here is my view.

1) The SJ definitely does attract attention in the sim, has to be used sparingly, much as in real life. Use periodic sweeps, every 15-30 minutes, especially 44-45. In real life, not every escort or even capital ship had radar warning equipment though so for my personal install, will be changing this.

Basically, the front line escorts such as Destroyers did and battleships such as Yamato had it in mid to late 43. Late other capital ships like heavy cruisers received and some of the dedicated ASW vessels as well by end of the war. I recall in Admiral Gallatins books "TAKE HER DEEP!", he discusses (while in command) of Halibut in January 1944, Halibut and her Wolfpack mates were tracking the Yamato. Yamato's Captain was a pro, he sailed along just fast enough to keep them from overtaking him, appearing oblivious to the subs tracking, then at dusk made a sudden course change at high speed. All they could do was watch their scopes as range opened until they all lost contact. They were too far to have been visually spotted, their radar emissions gave them away as Yamato did have radar detection equipment at this point.

Part of my TMO upgrade, I am considering adding radar warning equipment to ijn vessels.

2) Would not depend on the SJ to detect aircraft, it is meant for surface contacts. If planes are flying low enough will detect them but SD is made for aircraft contacts. I am honestly not sure if they can detect the SD signal the same since it operates differently. I do know the in real life, many skippers range without the SD in continual operation since were afraid could be detected.

Then again, since the SD is ALWAYS on in stock and TMO, it could be why aircraft always seem to magically be in the area? In FOTRS with SD off have not noticed a huge difference but as said, do not have as much time in FOTRS compared to TMO.