wrote:


That's all good except they can't clear you to maintain 4,000' in an area where
their MVA is higher. They can clear you to climb VFR to maintain their MVA, or
higher.


I don't believe that is correct. ATC cannot give you vectors below the MVA (the minimum vectoring altitude).

But you can still fly IFR visually maintaining terrain separation. Then ATC can clear you if they have no traffic conflicts. However you still have to remain more than 1000 ft above flatlands or 2000 ft above mountains--including the antenna. So, by doing this you might still be in violation of the FARs, but I doubt anyone cares.