What factors affect the RF exposure of people near an amateur station antenna?

RF exposure is influenced by a combination of several important factors. First, the transmitter's frequency dictates how efficiently the human body absorbs the energy, and the power level determines the overall strength of the radiated field. Distance is also critical, as RF energy dissipates rapidly as you move further away from the antenna due to the inverse square law. Finally, the radiation pattern focuses the RF energy in specific directions; standing in the main lobe of a directional antenna exposes a person to much more energy than standing to the side or behind it. Therefore, all of these factors must be considered together.