Rain storm issue

Rockin Robbins · 12-06-08, 06:30 PM

Soupy Sales, holy cow, talk about a regional and time-specific allusion! My head hurts...

Well, all that fake information that a radar could never give you is why we made TMOplot. Getting real close there!

The difficulty of a no-peek shot, especially sonar only, is why it is the single most satisfying kill in Silent Hunter 4. A radar only shot with TMOplot or TMO, since you don't get automatic course and speed out of the clairvoyant radar, is almost equally challenging, but has fewer measurement anomolies, so you don't sweat as much. The sonar only method is pure terror to use and makes you look really ridiculous to your wife when you're whooping, punching your fist in the air and indian war dancing around the room after multiple hits.

The only information you should get out of your radar or sonar is bearing and range. Real radar would give some impression of a large or small target, but a large contact could also be multiple targets, so you were still guessing to some degree.

Munchausen · 12-07-08, 11:42 AM

:hmm: Middle finger? No wonder Soupy got kicked off the air. Then, on the other hand ... I have five fingers.

Soundman · 12-07-08, 06:48 PM

[The sonar only method is pure terror to use and makes you look really ridiculous to your wife when you're whooping, punching your fist in the air and indian war dancing around the room after multiple hits.]

HEHe ! :rotfl: Yes, I can relate.....I've let out many a loud "Woo Hoo" after a good successful stalking with a tough scenario.

Sandman_28054 · 12-08-08, 02:33 AM

Sonar attacks in the middle of the night, in zero visibility, fog as think as "peanut butter," rain pouring down in buckets. :shudder:

It can be done.

Unlike SH3, when you got to within 1000 meters, you could "lock" on a target. In SH4, you can't. With the surface search radar, it makes things a lot easier because even though you cannot make out what type of ships there are, you can see them and the direction they are heading.

However, here is what works for me.

Time is not a major factor. Once your soundman picks up a sound, take your marker and go to the very end of the direction where the sound is coming from and make an "X" mark. Now, speed is an issue as you can't run at flank speed under water for long periods. But Convoys or single ships traveling at medium speed, usually equates to between 7 and 9 knots. Which is "Flank speed" for subs.

Patiently track the contact for about an hour. Every 10 to 15 minutes, use the marker to place an "X" in their track.

After an hour, you'll be able to use the ruler to "plot" their course. Extend the course a long way because you want to be able to surface and manuver to a position either perpendular to their projected course, or at a 30 degree angle to their projected course.

Use your "compass" to plot a position within 1500-2000 yards away from the path.

Submerge, "program" your "fish" and open your tubes.

When the contact gets to with "medium range" you can use your sonar to determine whether or not your in line for a good shot. (Usually about 15 degrees port or starboard of Zero)

Use your range finder to determine range. When you are within 1500-1000 yards, you can fire 2 fish per shot. A popular method is to "off-set" each torpedo by around 2-2.5 degrees either to port or starboard. (This depends on which direction they are approaching from)

You can set the "off-set" to about 2 degrees and fire tube one. 5 seconds later, fire tube 2, etc. This should give you a pretty good torpedo spread against a convoy.

But as always, what works for me, might not work for you.

Experience and patience are the best teachers.

Good luck, and good hunting.

CaptainHaplo · 12-08-08, 07:36 AM

Get close - you have to be pointed nearly at the target, somewhere ~500-600 yds and already have your shots set up like a 90 degree, 0 speed shot. Remember - it takes mere seconds to change the AOB if your off by alot and use your scope to lead the target - that close at say - 7 knots target speed - you want to lead by 10 degrees or so with MOT being at 7.5 or so. Remember - this close and the ship should look to be 10 degrees or more in "length".

As you practice this - you will get more capable in judging range and speed by eye. Just like real life.

12-06-08, 06:30 PM	#1
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Soupy Sales, holy cow, talk about a regional and time-specific allusion! My head hurts... Well, all that fake information that a radar could never give you is why we made TMOplot. Getting real close there! The difficulty of a no-peek shot, especially sonar only, is why it is the single most satisfying kill in Silent Hunter 4. A radar only shot with TMOplot or TMO, since you don't get automatic course and speed out of the clairvoyant radar, is almost equally challenging, but has fewer measurement anomolies, so you don't sweat as much. The sonar only method is pure terror to use and makes you look really ridiculous to your wife when you're whooping, punching your fist in the air and indian war dancing around the room after multiple hits. The only information you should get out of your radar or sonar is bearing and range. Real radar would give some impression of a large or small target, but a large contact could also be multiple targets, so you were still guessing to some degree. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS Last edited by Rockin Robbins; 12-06-08 at 06:32 PM.

12-08-08, 02:33 AM	#4
Sandman_28054 Captain Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 547 Downloads: 279 Uploads: 0	Sonar attacks in the middle of the night, in zero visibility, fog as think as "peanut butter," rain pouring down in buckets. :shudder: It can be done. Unlike SH3, when you got to within 1000 meters, you could "lock" on a target. In SH4, you can't. With the surface search radar, it makes things a lot easier because even though you cannot make out what type of ships there are, you can see them and the direction they are heading. However, here is what works for me. Time is not a major factor. Once your soundman picks up a sound, take your marker and go to the very end of the direction where the sound is coming from and make an "X" mark. Now, speed is an issue as you can't run at flank speed under water for long periods. But Convoys or single ships traveling at medium speed, usually equates to between 7 and 9 knots. Which is "Flank speed" for subs. Patiently track the contact for about an hour. Every 10 to 15 minutes, use the marker to place an "X" in their track. After an hour, you'll be able to use the ruler to "plot" their course. Extend the course a long way because you want to be able to surface and manuver to a position either perpendular to their projected course, or at a 30 degree angle to their projected course. Use your "compass" to plot a position within 1500-2000 yards away from the path. Submerge, "program" your "fish" and open your tubes. When the contact gets to with "medium range" you can use your sonar to determine whether or not your in line for a good shot. (Usually about 15 degrees port or starboard of Zero) Use your range finder to determine range. When you are within 1500-1000 yards, you can fire 2 fish per shot. A popular method is to "off-set" each torpedo by around 2-2.5 degrees either to port or starboard. (This depends on which direction they are approaching from) You can set the "off-set" to about 2 degrees and fire tube one. 5 seconds later, fire tube 2, etc. This should give you a pretty good torpedo spread against a convoy. But as always, what works for me, might not work for you. Experience and patience are the best teachers. Good luck, and good hunting. Last edited by Sandman_28054; 12-08-08 at 05:21 AM.

12-08-08, 07:36 AM	#5
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,405 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	Get close - you have to be pointed nearly at the target, somewhere ~500-600 yds and already have your shots set up like a 90 degree, 0 speed shot. Remember - it takes mere seconds to change the AOB if your off by alot and use your scope to lead the target - that close at say - 7 knots target speed - you want to lead by 10 degrees or so with MOT being at 7.5 or so. Remember - this close and the ship should look to be 10 degrees or more in "length". As you practice this - you will get more capable in judging range and speed by eye. Just like real life. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

12-07-08, 11:42 AM	#2
Munchausen Commodore Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 608 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 1	:hmm: Middle finger? No wonder Soupy got kicked off the air. Then, on the other hand ... I have five fingers.

12-07-08, 06:48 PM	#3
Soundman Commodore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 617 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	[The sonar only method is pure terror to use and makes you look really ridiculous to your wife when you're whooping, punching your fist in the air and indian war dancing around the room after multiple hits.] HEHe ! :rotfl: Yes, I can relate.....I've let out many a loud "Woo Hoo" after a good successful stalking with a tough scenario.