Why should your outside antennas be high enough so that no one can touch them while you are transmitting?

Radio frequency (RF) energy transmitted through an antenna can generate significant localized heat when it comes into contact with human tissue, leading to deep and painful RF burns. Elevating an antenna out of reach ensures that no one accidentally touches the radiating elements during transmission, protecting both the operator and the public from these severe injuries. While touching an antenna could theoretically affect the SWR or cause minor signal reflection, the primary and most critical reason for this regulation is human safety, making distractors about equipment damage or interference incorrect.