Until we can greatly exceed the speed of light (if even possible), there are no ‘possible’ Earth like planets even close enough.
My understanding is that our own equipment could only discern our own signals out to about 4 light years. I suspect all that could be discerned from a farther distance would be an odd intermittent radio hash.
Thus any signal from life on other planets would require equipment at least a magnitude stronger (better?) than ours.
Yep, and all this search for earth-like planets is about as useful as trying to determine the number angels that can dance on the head of a pin. Interesting but worthless information.
Not necessarily. If there are Earth-like planets within say 10 light years and we were able to achieve 1/10 the speed of light then we could reach them in 100 years. But it does make my earlier point that only those relatively close to Earth - a tiny portion of the universe - are of any serious interest in a discussion like this. God apparently spread us apart on purpose and for good reason.