Inspiron 2200 Wireless problems

I bought this computer about 6 months ago and never tried the built-in wireless (1370) until a week ago.  I have tried it in a dozen different locations (hotels, library, free public access, and a home network) and the results are consistent - it will occasionally pick up a strong signal and then lose it within a few seconds.  I downloaded and installed the newest Dell drivers and utilities - no help.  I borrowed a friends PC CARD Linksys adapter - and it worked flawlessly.  I opened the computer and measured the dc resistance across the attenna connector at zero ohms.  Though this seemed low to me I felt that I could be looking into a loop or something similar.  I purchased a new PCI wireless adapter (Intel) and got the same results.  So it appears that it is in fact an antenna problem.  Has anyone had a similar problem?  Anyone know if 0 ohms across the coax connector is reasonable?  How much of a nightmare is it to take the display apart to get to the antenna?  Is the antenna  "printed" on the display pcb (or a seperate pcb) or is it a seperate wire?