What could happen if a person accidentally touched your antenna while you were transmitting?

When a person touches your antenna while you are transmitting, the most immediate and serious concern is the potential for them to receive a painful RF (radio frequency) burn. This occurs because radio frequencies can generate electrical currents that travel through the body, leading to burns, especially at points of contact. Most antennas are designed to radiate RF energy efficiently, and when someone touches them, they can inadvertently become part of the transmission circuit, exposing themselves to high levels of RF energy which can result in thermal effects akin to a burn.

While the other options might bring up concerns in a broader context, such as interference with televisions—an issue associated with poor shielding or improper equipment connections—this does not apply when someone physically touches the antenna. Similarly, the notion of developing radiation poisoning is not relevant in this scenario because RF exposure from typical ham radio operation does not lead to the type of radiation poisoning seen with ionizing radiation. Therefore, the primary concern remains the risk of RF burns, affirming that this option accurately represents the potential hazard of touching an active antenna.