Data Card; ExpressCard not providing adequate power?

[alphaod]

So I've never had 3G problems before, but I got a DataConnect card a few months ago and it hasn't been right since. I get 1/5 bars at home, but that doesn't matter since I have WiFi. But when I'm on the road, I noticed that on my MBP, I can never get more than 3/5 bars, but on my Thinkpad, I can get a 5/5 in the same locations.

This got me asking here, does the ExpressCard slot on the MBP provide less power than other computers?

 

[e12a]

i dont have a 3g card, but where's the antenna located? on the end or inside...perhaps the aluminum is interfering?