You could use
HyrdroHunting to find that information without ever even seeing the ship. You can get their position, speed and course with it.
It's a little tricky through, but when it works it's really great!
Your other option is to just head towards a contact when you first hear it. Mark it's bearing on the map, then head directly at it. After 10-15 minutes listen again, see which direction it's moved, mark that bearing and head towards it. This will give you a really basic idea of general direction and since you're constantly approaching the contact you'll eventually get into visual range.
You don't need to use the standimeter from long distances, you can get close to the ship without having to measure by anything more than eyesight. Once you're close enough and ready to plot an attack, then you can worry about measuring it exactly.
ddgn had a really nice manual targeting video that showed how most of your measurements will be by eye rather than instrument.