Trail beacon system to prevent becoming lost in unfamiliar terrain

摘要

A trail marking system consisting of a plurality of identical beacon units, each capable of communicating with another unit. The beacon units contain audible and visible signaling devices that may be used independently or in combination. The units are designed to be deployed along a path of ingress into unfamiliar terrain. When a user wishes to retrace his or her steps, the closest beacon unit is activated and audible, visible, or both, depending on the mode selected. The closest beacon unit transmits an RF signal that propagates to the next beacon unit. Upon receipt of the RF signal, the second beacon unit activates in the selected mode. As the user returns to each of the previously deployed beacon units, they are collected for reuse. The beacon units of the present invention are weatherproof, have a long battery life, and are designed to be virtually invisible to game animals, for example, deer.