Using the home network feature is a huge drag as I have to enter the 10+ character password every time I want to access it. Is there anyway to get the N80 to save this information?

Also is there anyway to get it to use a home network as the default access point?

yes, set it up as a new Access Point. ;)

I had tried setting it up as an Access Point, but it doesn't solve either issue as there isn't anywhere I can see to enter the password, and the Access point simply gets added to the end of the list of provider APs, and is never shown at connect time unless I specify "Always Ask".