Those dB levels look quite useful VS. if I can get anything near to that when I get mine, I'll be a happy bunny. The fact is though, if my Norsat can't cope very well with the Newsnet channels, I don't have much confidence. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what I can receive with the setup.
Regarding modding the probes, I think there would have to be a complete redesign of the layout of the front end, from the probe you were altering to the 1st stage (a 90° shift of the probe), to have any chance of success