External Patrol Logs

Longknife · 04-11-15, 04:31 PM

I was wondering if anyone else maintains an external Patrol Log for your SH adventures?

I recently started a new career & thought keeping my own patrol log might prove interesting & informative. I opted to go with an Excel spreadsheet & I am keeping track of the following data: Date/Time, Location, Target, Tonnage, Range, AOB, Speed, Torps Fired, Torps Hit, Location of hit, Duds, Time hit, Time sank, Notes.

My thinking was I might be able to learn something about my own habits & limitations. Also how closely my experiances match historical record.

So is anyone else keeping a external log whether electronically or manually?

fireftr18 · 04-11-15, 05:50 PM

I never really thought about doing it. I recently posted a log style story, mostly for a little laugh (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=761). All of the specific information in it, came from the in game log. Next time I start a career, I may start my own log just for the heck of it.

CCIP · 04-11-15, 06:09 PM

I've tried a few digital forms of notekeeping (usually google docs), but every time I go back to paper and pencils and basic notes. I now have tomes and tomes of patrol notes/logs. I find them difficult to post on their own as they're way too long or too technical, but I've been trying to turn them into more readable narrative stories - as you can see with my ongoing Soviet AAR!

Here's the notes I'm keeping for it (in Russian, as they ought to be):

Chicken scratch though it may be, I still find it superior to typed notes because it keeps my head in the game instead of in another screen/window.

SquareCanine · 04-11-15, 06:36 PM

I like the idea. I don't think I'm up for anything particularly detailed, but I might start recording ship type, time, and general location of the sinking. If I get really ambitious I'll find a notepad and do it by hand so that it feels right, then think about typing it up later.

les green01 · 04-11-15, 06:47 PM

i use notepad to write the story but also use kims_report to do the log

Sailor Steve · 04-11-15, 06:51 PM

I write down everything, and have for years. When the patrol is finished I type it up properly.

TorpX · 04-12-15, 02:47 AM

YES!

I mean, doesn't everybody?

I have my general log, which has ordinary narrative stuff, orders, objectives, positional fixes, times, etc.,etc.

It also has engineering data, that is indispensable, such as; speed at X setting, in sea-state Y. (You don't want to run out of fuel, do you?) Also, I use 'house rules' that require me to track various things.

Additionally, I have a target data sheet, which aids in plotting. This is essential if you don't use map-contacts. This is always written in pencil, so I can make changes.

Scarredclown · 04-12-15, 06:43 AM

Well, first i have to survive a few patrol....

Torplexed · 04-12-15, 07:19 AM

I often drew up maps of my patrols, showing the route and notes for ships sunk.

Armistead · 04-12-15, 05:52 PM

The internal game one was all I needed. However, with making mods, i bet I filled out a few spiral notebooks

TorpX · 04-12-15, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

I often drew up maps of my patrols, showing the route and notes for ships sunk.

Nice! I like it.

Longknife · 04-13-15, 08:37 PM

Thanks guys! It's nice to see I am not alone & especially gratifying that no one thinks I need to get out more

I think I will switch to a manual patrol log. While the spreadsheet is nice for keeping track of data it seem a bit to sterile & lacks panache.

I think I will buy a ledger & start a new career.

View Poll Results: Do you keep an external patrol log?
Yes! Its a great way to increase the immersion	5	38.46%
Nah, the provided patrol log is adequate for me	8	61.54%
You need get out more!	0	0%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

04-11-15, 04:31 PM	#1
Longknife A-ganger Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern KY Posts: 80 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	External Patrol Logs I was wondering if anyone else maintains an external Patrol Log for your SH adventures? I recently started a new career & thought keeping my own patrol log might prove interesting & informative. I opted to go with an Excel spreadsheet & I am keeping track of the following data: Date/Time, Location, Target, Tonnage, Range, AOB, Speed, Torps Fired, Torps Hit, Location of hit, Duds, Time hit, Time sank, Notes. My thinking was I might be able to learn something about my own habits & limitations. Also how closely my experiances match historical record. So is anyone else keeping a external log whether electronically or manually?

04-11-15, 05:50 PM	#2
fireftr18 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,528 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 0	I never really thought about doing it. I recently posted a log style story, mostly for a little laugh (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=761). All of the specific information in it, came from the in game log. Next time I start a career, I may start my own log just for the heck of it. __________________ Of all the forms of Martial Arts, Karaoke causes the most pain!

04-11-15, 06:09 PM	#3
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	I've tried a few digital forms of notekeeping (usually google docs), but every time I go back to paper and pencils and basic notes. I now have tomes and tomes of patrol notes/logs. I find them difficult to post on their own as they're way too long or too technical, but I've been trying to turn them into more readable narrative stories - as you can see with my ongoing Soviet AAR! Here's the notes I'm keeping for it (in Russian, as they ought to be): Chicken scratch though it may be, I still find it superior to typed notes because it keeps my head in the game instead of in another screen/window. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

04-11-15, 06:47 PM	#5
les green01 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Freeman Missouri Posts: 1,784 Downloads: 1405 Uploads: 0	i use notepad to write the story but also use kims_report to do the log __________________ I'll tell you what bravery really is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done. Audie Murphy

04-11-15, 06:36 PM	#4
SquareCanine Swabbie Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 14 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	I like the idea. I don't think I'm up for anything particularly detailed, but I might start recording ship type, time, and general location of the sinking. If I get really ambitious I'll find a notepad and do it by hand so that it feels right, then think about typing it up later.

04-11-15, 06:51 PM	#6
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I write down everything, and have for years. When the patrol is finished I type it up properly. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-12-15, 02:47 AM	#7
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	YES! I mean, doesn't everybody? I have my general log, which has ordinary narrative stuff, orders, objectives, positional fixes, times, etc.,etc. It also has engineering data, that is indispensable, such as; speed at X setting, in sea-state Y. (You don't want to run out of fuel, do you?) Also, I use 'house rules' that require me to track various things. Additionally, I have a target data sheet, which aids in plotting. This is essential if you don't use map-contacts. This is always written in pencil, so I can make changes.

04-12-15, 06:43 AM	#8
Scarredclown Loader Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Quebec Posts: 85 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Well, first i have to survive a few patrol.... __________________ Sorry for my English, triyng very hard !

04-12-15, 07:19 AM	#9
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I often drew up maps of my patrols, showing the route and notes for ships sunk.

04-12-15, 05:52 PM	#10
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	The internal game one was all I needed. However, with making mods, i bet I filled out a few spiral notebooks __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

04-13-15, 08:37 PM	#12
Longknife A-ganger Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern KY Posts: 80 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	Thanks guys! It's nice to see I am not alone & especially gratifying that no one thinks I need to get out more I think I will switch to a manual patrol log. While the spreadsheet is nice for keeping track of data it seem a bit to sterile & lacks panache. I think I will buy a ledger & start a new career.