Fog hurts! how do you use sonar?

[17thcpikeman]

I have reinstalled SHIII with the Grey Wolves patch and I am on my first patrol. I have just rounded by Stornoway in the fog, I have a convoy in front some where. On sonar they are at bearings of 305, 345, 012 etc. the sound lines on the nav map stop (fade) about 2000m from my boat so I surface to see if more eyes help me see. Still no sight when there is an all mighty screach and a large merchant man drives over me.

Can you fire torps at the sound lines and how can you tell how far the ships are from you with the hydrophones? also which is the best hydrophones to get first off in the war the kdg ones seam to be easier to damage but is the sonar results better from them?

[Mooncatt]

Originally Posted by 17thcpikeman

I have reinstalled SHIII with the Grey Wolves patch and I am on my first patrol. I have just rounded by Stornoway in the fog, I have a convoy in front some where. On sonar they are at bearings of 305, 345, 012 etc. the sound lines on the nav map stop (fade) about 2000m from my boat so I surface to see if more eyes help me see. Still no sight when there is an all mighty screach and a large merchant man drives over me.

Can you fire torps at the sound lines and how can you tell how far the ships are from you with the hydrophones? also which is the best hydrophones to get first off in the war the kdg ones seam to be easier to damage but is the sonar results better from them?

captains tried to fire at targets using hydraphones but was largly innefective and yes the kdg are the best

[Brag]

In fog, you have to plot your contacts to establish heading. then you move closer to intercept chosen target. Be ready to fire, you will see the target on the scope for a few seconds before you're too close to arm the torpedo (you need 300 meters.

And in fog stay submerged. The evil DDs will spring out of the fog and sink you with canon.

[Morts]

Originally Posted by Brag

(you need 300 meters.

not all true
if you use magnetic you can fire from shorter distance
dont know how much shorter but you can

[AVGWarhawk]

Fog can be your friend also. If she be a lone merchant it is fun surfacing 500m off and blasting the thing with your cannon. I followed a sound with my sonar and made headway towards it.I did not know what it was. Out of the mist like a ghost came a C3 at 90 degrees to me. I sent it down with two torps. Very cool sinking that time

[Brag]

Originally Posted by Morts

not all true
if you use magnetic you can fire from shorter distance
dont know how much shorter but you can

You're absolutely right, Morts.

[High Voltage]

Does anyone know what minimum arming distance is for mags? I have shot as close as 275, but in a fog situation I have let ships go because I could not see far enough to ensure a proper solution.

[Steppenwolf]

Originally Posted by 17thcpikeman

also which is the best hydrophones to get first off in the war the kdg ones seam to be easier to damage but is the sonar results better from them?

GHG has about a 20 degree blind zone in front of the sub and about a 60 degree blind zone in the rear. KDB eliminates the front blind zone and reduces the rear one to about 40 degrees.

[Castout]

I just tried hunting in storm with heavy fog by listening to the sonar. Almost got killed when a DD suddenly popped up from the fog. Dived then went to periscope depth goin full speed to intercept the convoy which was now close but DD got me again hence forced to dive deep this time didn't dare to go to periscope again. Guess it was a failure. In real life this act is just insane.

By the way the excellent U-boat skipper Gunther Prien(Who went to Scapa flow and sank other 27 ships) was sunk this way. U-47 was suprised by a British DD out of a heavy squall in 1941 before U-boat was equipped with Radar.

[17thcpikeman]

Thx all, I guess in fog stay submerged? I have upgraded to the KGD can you get the sonar guy trained up ? is 30 m about right for detecting contacts? just finnish the first patrol last night. 3 ships sunk for 8000 ish tons and one hit on a convoy merchant and on on a pyro but in both cases could not use deckguns the weather was horrid with high waves and fog which was so bad that the boat went from depths 1m to 11m and the side to side rocking made me feel sick.

[Tiny]

Just position yourself ahead of the convoy and make sure they are on 90/270 degree bearing and that you will come in the center of the convoy...I got a whale ship yesterday in heavy fog this way...almost rammed by a destroyer though