How to use sonar properly?

Paul Riley · 04-26-09, 05:33 AM

During my previous engagement with the huge convoy I mentioned in my recent posts,I mentioned that I hit a T.Transport earlier and it fell behind the convoy.I then decided to break off from the convoy and re-aqquire the Transport,which I did.I picked up a hydrophone contact and proceeded to advance towards it.I set the u-boat up on roughly a 90 degree track alongside the Transport,to fire a 90 degree shot.It was very dark and visual contact was made at about 4000m if I remember,and I went to PD and closed the gap to about 3000m,my firing range.At this point I wanted to use my sonar,so I could track the final moments without using the PS.At this point I expected the sonarman to start using the sonar and start pinging him,which of course he did'nt.I went to his station personally and asked him to find target bearing,range etc,and he replied with "no target selected".I couldn't work out why the sonar was'nt working.Finally,I just stuck with my usual methods of engagement,and carried on alongside him tracking him with the PS and fired 2 perfect shots when he was at 90 degrees in the scope.
Can anyone explain to me why the sonar wasnt working,and under what optimal conditions the sonar should and should'nt be used?.
For the record,it is the first sonar model,and may explain some of its shortcomings

Does sonar become more of a neccessity as revealing one's position becomes more hazardous?.
NOTE: I must mention that it was my first real at chance using the sonar,as it was first fitted at the beginning of that patrol

Thanks for any advice

Kubryk · 04-26-09, 03:23 PM

Edit: deleted previous entry
Sorry, I think I misunderstand your question

RoaldLarsen · 04-26-09, 07:01 PM

I have found a consistent behavour of the game is to lose hydorphone contact with a target when you gain a lock in the periscope on the same target. It seems that the game is only able to use one sensor system at a time for any given target.

To get a sonar range for a target, you need to have an active hydrophone identification of the target. So, once you have locked onto a target with the periscope, you are going to have to lose the visual contact, (e.g. by lowering the scope or locking onto a different target) then reaquire a hydophone contact by going to the hydrophone station, rotating to the correct bearing, and indicatng the correct target type. Then you can get a range from the sonar.

Paul Riley · 04-27-09, 07:35 AM

Cheers Roald

For a minute I was thinking maybe it was me doing something wrong,or there was a bug in the game.
Just a few more things,am I right in that sonar has a range of about 4000m?,and what are the chances of enemy warships intercepting the pulse?

. Probably the only time to use it would be against convoys without escort,and for single merchants?.

Again,thanks.

04-26-09, 05:33 AM	#1
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	How to use sonar properly? During my previous engagement with the huge convoy I mentioned in my recent posts,I mentioned that I hit a T.Transport earlier and it fell behind the convoy.I then decided to break off from the convoy and re-aqquire the Transport,which I did.I picked up a hydrophone contact and proceeded to advance towards it.I set the u-boat up on roughly a 90 degree track alongside the Transport,to fire a 90 degree shot.It was very dark and visual contact was made at about 4000m if I remember,and I went to PD and closed the gap to about 3000m,my firing range.At this point I wanted to use my sonar,so I could track the final moments without using the PS.At this point I expected the sonarman to start using the sonar and start pinging him,which of course he did'nt.I went to his station personally and asked him to find target bearing,range etc,and he replied with "no target selected".I couldn't work out why the sonar was'nt working.Finally,I just stuck with my usual methods of engagement,and carried on alongside him tracking him with the PS and fired 2 perfect shots when he was at 90 degrees in the scope. Can anyone explain to me why the sonar wasnt working,and under what optimal conditions the sonar should and should'nt be used?. For the record,it is the first sonar model,and may explain some of its shortcomings Does sonar become more of a neccessity as revealing one's position becomes more hazardous?. NOTE: I must mention that it was my first real at chance using the sonar,as it was first fitted at the beginning of that patrol Thanks for any advice __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

04-26-09, 03:23 PM	#2
Kubryk Bosun Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 66 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 0	Edit: deleted previous entry Sorry, I think I misunderstand your question Last edited by Kubryk; 04-26-09 at 03:41 PM.

04-26-09, 07:01 PM	#3
RoaldLarsen Weps Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Control Room Posts: 355 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	I have found a consistent behavour of the game is to lose hydorphone contact with a target when you gain a lock in the periscope on the same target. It seems that the game is only able to use one sensor system at a time for any given target. To get a sonar range for a target, you need to have an active hydrophone identification of the target. So, once you have locked onto a target with the periscope, you are going to have to lose the visual contact, (e.g. by lowering the scope or locking onto a different target) then reaquire a hydophone contact by going to the hydrophone station, rotating to the correct bearing, and indicatng the correct target type. Then you can get a range from the sonar. __________________ 100% realism, DiD Harbor Traffic 1.47(incl. RUB) Using SH3 Commander to implement many custom realism tweaks Covered 1939-1945; now restarting in 1939 again. Completed 39 careers, 210 war patrols, 4.7Mt sunk, 19 subs lost

04-27-09, 07:35 AM	#4
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Cheers Roald For a minute I was thinking maybe it was me doing something wrong,or there was a bug in the game. Just a few more things,am I right in that sonar has a range of about 4000m?,and what are the chances of enemy warships intercepting the pulse? . Probably the only time to use it would be against convoys without escort,and for single merchants?. Again,thanks. __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes