Table 5 gives the theoretical r.m.s.\ noise on I and P images made at the VLA without tapering, using 27 antennas and the maximum interference-free continuum bandwidths, for integration times typical of ``snapshots" (see Snaphot Mode) and of more complete syntheses. (Interference normally restricts observations at 92 cm to a 3 MHz bandwidth.)
Note that some parameters that affect these sensitivities improve with time as a result of receiver upgrades, improved feed designs, adjustment of the antenna surfaces after holography, etc. The VLA Observational Status Summary reports relevant system parameters at least once per year. Check the most recent version of this when planning a VLA proposal.
| Wavelength | 92 cm | 20 cm | 6 cm | 3.6 cm | 2 cm | 1.3 cm |
| Band Designation | P | L | C | X | U | K |
 (1 sec, 1 MHz), Jy | 1.87 | 0.38 | 0.35 | 0.29 | 1.14 | 2.0 |
Bandwidth  , MHz | 3 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| R.m.s. in 5-min snapshot, mJy/beam | 2.1 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.35 | 0.61 |
| R.m.s. in 12-hr synthesis, mJy/beam | 0.18 | 0.010 | 0.009 | 0.007 | 0.029 | 0.051 |
*Two IFs, natural weighting. For uniform weighting, multiply
entries by  1.5 | ||||||