Tom, you are absolutely correct on the propagated noise issue. The noise from Boston was the biggest issue for me during our Trans-Atlantic experiment in December 2021.
Even with the 1200 ft Beverage, which of course is still short for 630,....I could see the slow uptick in noise as we moved into darkness.
It took Roy G4CLO and I a good 2 years of staying up through all hours to finally make a two-way.
Additionally, I've noticed the noise gradually fades down around 0200 local. (Around the same time I lose some of the NDBs out around 200 miles.) I think that's when some of the higher angle stuff begins losing coherent refraction at the low E-layer, and the virtual height for that angle increases. Absorption and scattering due to deeper penetration,.....etc.
However it might be due to less human activity in the cities at that hour as well.
I'm glad you're with us Tom. We need your background and experience to help us "push the envelope" a little.
Jamie