AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/ham-rf-burn

What hazard comes from touching an antenna while it is transmitting?

An RF burn to the skin.

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  1. Exposure to ionizing radiation
  2. RF burn to skin ✔
  3. Electrocution

Why: A transmitting antenna can carry high RF voltage. Touching it can cause a painful burn, so keep antennas where people cannot reach them.

Huh, didn't know that: Your RF exposure depends on frequency, power, distance from the antenna and its radiation pattern.

The dad joke
Why don't hams high-five their antennas? They hate getting burned.
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References

Answer: RF burn to skin. A transmitting antenna can carry high RF voltage. Touching it can cause a painful burn, so keep antennas where people cannot reach them.

  1. HamStudy 2026-2030 Technician pool, section T0C hamstudy.org/browse/E2_2026/T0C
    RF burn to skin
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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