"Something I need to understand is this: It has taken a lot of time and effort to gain the first glimpse (presumably) of gravity waves. What will make the next “sighting” easier than the first?"

Bill S, I think the Ligo set up was being upgraded for about the previous 4 years and finally went back online in early Sep15.

This "sighting" took place on September 14, 2015 at 5:51 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, according to Orac.

So it seems to have gotten a "hit" very soon after this version started.