Balancing navigation beacons against detection risk

Did navigation beacons risk revealing the carrier to the enemy?

Yes, but low power and restricted use made the risk acceptable compared with the safety benefit for returning aircraft.

The Navy recognized that beacon transmissions could reveal a carrier's position. Limiting frequency and power reduced the exposure without eliminating it. Navigational help still mattered to aircraft and crews returning from long-range or night sorties. The service accepted the remaining emissions risk because it judged the recovery benefit greater.