Good technique for tracking escort targets -- SONAR Only -- No Map Updates

Dignan · 01-16-12, 10:49 AM

Does anyone have any good techniques for sonar only tracking of targets when escorts are present (with No Map Contacts enabled)?

I've been on a 'no map contact update' kick lately and am familiar with tracking targets via sonar (pinging) to establish a course and speed. But what do the expert Captains on this board recommend for sonar only tracking when escorts are present? Obviously you can't ping for range when escorts are listening? ANy tips?

Thanks.

kstanb · 01-16-12, 12:38 PM

I am not an expert, but for what I read the best advice is to avoid it completely and get used to stadimeter instead; (there are mods that expand the zoom capability making stadimeter reads a lot easier to do), you can also start a career when radar is available.

The problem with sonar is that you won't know how proficient is the escort crew you are facing; if it is a green crew, and sea conditions are poor, then they might not get you, but if they are proficient, chances are they will go after you.

Dignan · 01-16-12, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstanb

I am not an expert, but for what I read the best advice is to avoid it completely and get used to stadimeter instead; (there are mods that expand the zoom capability making stadimeter reads a lot easier to do), you can also start a career when radar is available.

The problem with sonar is that you won't know how proficient is the escort crew you are facing; if it is a green crew, and sea conditions are poor, then they might not get you, but if they are proficient, chances are they will go after you.

That's what I was afraid the answer would be. Thanks for the advice. I also considered the possibility of doing a surface attack if the fog was heavy enough or it was night+fog. Then you could use the radar to plot a course and speed.

Platapus · 01-17-12, 08:31 PM

2 IFs

If you are stationary and
If the game was equipped with a proportional divider, you could track rather well using just sonar. You would be able to determine course and get a pretty good idea of speed. But you need proportional dividers. I sure wish the game had them or someone could mod them in the game.

You could try to do it on paper but a good set of proportional dividers will run you about $200.00.

Without those two "IFs", tracking on sonar in the game is difficult and you will probably lose your target.

I am working with one of our mathematician brains at work to work out some trapezoidal formula. We are trying to generate a procedure to determine speed, course, and range by making long range bearing only sightings but I am sure it could work with sonar too. As soon as we have something I plan on making a post on our results.

Dignan · 01-17-12, 09:17 PM

I look forward to those results. I assume you've already stumbled across the "4 Bearing Technique" in the SH5 forums? If not, do a search for 4 bearings technique there. I think it may be the traphezoidal technique you are referring to. To be honest, I've tried to learn it several times but felt like I was back in calculus or advanced geometry class and I gave up....because subsims are about having fun, not doing complex math problems.

If you can simplify the process I'm all ears though.

TorpX · 01-18-12, 02:39 AM

Yes, there have been at least a couple sonar only techniques posted on the forum. I've never tried them, though. They didn't strike me as being all that practical.

01-16-12, 10:49 AM	#1
Dignan Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 698 Downloads: 262 Uploads: 0	Any Good techniques for tracking escort targets?? -- SONAR Only -- No Map Updates Does anyone have any good techniques for sonar only tracking of targets when escorts are present (with No Map Contacts enabled)? I've been on a 'no map contact update' kick lately and am familiar with tracking targets via sonar (pinging) to establish a course and speed. But what do the expert Captains on this board recommend for sonar only tracking when escorts are present? Obviously you can't ping for range when escorts are listening? ANy tips? Thanks. __________________ Last edited by Dignan; 01-16-12 at 06:47 PM.

01-17-12, 08:31 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	2 IFs If you are stationary and If the game was equipped with a proportional divider, you could track rather well using just sonar. You would be able to determine course and get a pretty good idea of speed. But you need proportional dividers. I sure wish the game had them or someone could mod them in the game. You could try to do it on paper but a good set of proportional dividers will run you about $200.00. Without those two "IFs", tracking on sonar in the game is difficult and you will probably lose your target. I am working with one of our mathematician brains at work to work out some trapezoidal formula. We are trying to generate a procedure to determine speed, course, and range by making long range bearing only sightings but I am sure it could work with sonar too. As soon as we have something I plan on making a post on our results. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

01-17-12, 09:17 PM	#5
Dignan Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 698 Downloads: 262 Uploads: 0	I look forward to those results. I assume you've already stumbled across the "4 Bearing Technique" in the SH5 forums? If not, do a search for 4 bearings technique there. I think it may be the traphezoidal technique you are referring to. To be honest, I've tried to learn it several times but felt like I was back in calculus or advanced geometry class and I gave up....because subsims are about having fun, not doing complex math problems. If you can simplify the process I'm all ears though. __________________

01-16-12, 12:38 PM	#2
kstanb Sparky Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 153 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 0	I am not an expert, but for what I read the best advice is to avoid it completely and get used to stadimeter instead; (there are mods that expand the zoom capability making stadimeter reads a lot easier to do), you can also start a career when radar is available. The problem with sonar is that you won't know how proficient is the escort crew you are facing; if it is a green crew, and sea conditions are poor, then they might not get you, but if they are proficient, chances are they will go after you.

01-18-12, 02:39 AM	#6
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	Yes, there have been at least a couple sonar only techniques posted on the forum. I've never tried them, though. They didn't strike me as being all that practical.