As for the receiver sensitivity issue, I know Icom makes a pretty sweet handheld radio/video scanner receiver. This covers up -> the x10 frequency range and allows for external antennas also....has a cool little color lcd screen too....sweeet
http://www.icomamerica.com/receivers.../icr3main.html
is it just me or did my previous account get totally screwed up? Permissions and all that jazz...