Hey Dood,
I know that poorly designed AM (AM !) transmitters can emit harmonics ie at double the transmit frequency , etc.
I am don't know as much potential spurious products from FM transmitters ( I imagine that nearly ALL of the stations in question here are FM ).
I did some quick math and 2X 88 (Mhz ) or 2X 108 (Mhz) do NOT fall within the VHF aero band .2X 108 is 216 , which is within the UHF aero band (FWIW). Not sure if this math is useful or not.
The notion that these stations interfere with "Safety of Life" communications ( aeronautical , medical, fire ,police and the KFC drive through ) makes a fantastic pretext for shutting down the voices of opposition or alternative view. Apparently some governments don't want to just bust in because they don't like you , that would be bad PR. But if the cover story is that you "endanger aircraft" (etc) , no one could or would argue or be able to really prove otherwise to the technically dim general public.When the National Police show up, convince them with test gear that you put out a clean signal and then they'd call off the bust. Right.
The idea that drugs are also involved in "some or a few " cases may or may not be true, but good luck REALLY "fighting" a cartel that contributes money to the same politicians that sent the bust crew or whacks anyone that gets too annoying. Drug stations would probably just "eat" the equipment loss (to "play along" ) and then just set up some place else. Money is not an issue with these folks.But if you keep hitting the POOR in the wallet , eventually they get squashed.
I am not fuzzy about someone interfering with a legitimate station that PAID for a license (FWIW, I never QRM'ed anyone on the AM b'cast band or HF) . But this "aircraft story" sounds like a big load of baloney .
When a US FM pirate station gets busted it is simply because it is unlicensed, no matter what their viewpoint. The FCC doesn't seem to care about bad press . The Brazilian govt apparently lies to appear to be looking out for public safety. It's softer , fuzzier and a kinder type of machine gun hand.
K