1, the interference is in the direction of the repeater. That being said, idk if it is actually interference or loss of signal. It's almost like the signal just goes away. I can pick up the repeater, move over a foot, lose the signal, move over another foot in the same direction, and have it again. If I raise the antenna, same thing. 2 feet higher, static. 3 feet, good. 4 feet, static.
2, Good idea, but yes, I'm on wide.