What should not come into contact with antennas of operating radar equipment?

Antennas of operating radar equipment are highly sensitive components that emit and receive radio waves necessary for radar functionality. When hands or metallic objects come into contact with these antennas, they can interfere with the radar signals. This interference can lead to inaccurate readings or diminished performance, potentially causing safety issues or equipment malfunctions.

Hand contact, in particular, can create an impedance mismatch or introduce noise, impacting the radar's ability to function effectively. Metallic objects can reflect or distort the radar waves, further complicating the operation. Therefore, it is critical to keep these items away from the radar antennas during operation to maintain optimal performance and ensure safety.

Other materials listed, such as plastic, wood, and rubber, typically do not interfere with radar signals in the same detrimental way that metals do. They are generally non-conductive and do not pose the same risk of signal interference when in proximity to radar antennas.