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Thanks for the info on the interference patterns on the analog signal, which can be more helpful for diagnosis vs a digital signal. In fact when the last analogs shut down it will be harder to track down the noise. Perhaps one can hold on to an old VCR RF modulator (and an old TV) to diagnose noise sources. If a neighbor has their VCR modulator set to Ch. 4, could that signal be the source of noise? This gives me an idea, I do have an old VCR where I can generate a very weak Ch 4. signal transmitted in the air, with a small bit of wire perhaps, and connect my old CRT to the antenna cable and see what noise pattern I can see on that frequency. I thought I powered down almost everything in the house, that could be a source of noise, computers, Wifi, ethernet switch/routers, CFLs, other radios, TVs near the antenna, even the smoke alarm circuit.
In past experience what has been the top causes of VHF low band noise?
I often wondered why the FCC has restricted low VHF TV stations to such low powers, because unlike with typical omni-directional FM reception, TV viewers need to user directional antennas to receive medium to long distance stations. Even if a co-channel station is somewhat short-spaced (when operating at higher power), for the vast majority of the viewers, the directionality of the reception antenna will allow the desired station to be received properly. I think the FCC are thinking in terms of omni-directional reception when determining spacing and power-levels. I can see room for optimization of power levels and spacing, taking into consideration the probability of two high powered stations being in the same direction for a significant number of end users. i.e. it might not be good short space a co-channel station in western Michigan directly E or NE of Chicago, but would be likely OK to short-space a co-channel station direction W, or SW of Chicago at the same short-space distance. When I say short-spaced, I mean as a result of using higher power.
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