Wifi Nightmare - iBook Airport is so weak!

I love my iBook G4, except for one thing, when I travel, I can't pick up wifi signals in most places.
Right now I'm in a NYC sublet. Airport is on and shows NO AVAILABLE NETWORKS.
But my wife's Toshiba, with Wi-Fi, easily picks up the Wifi signals from other apartments in the area.
This happens all the time.
Anyone experienced? Can it be fixed?
How to boost the antenna? Third Party hardware?
thanx!
ibook Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hi J V G,
Do you use the iBook wirelessly at home OK?
Did you install the Airport Card yourself? If you did, make sure that the Airport card's antenna wire is seated properly. Apparently, it needs a good push to get it in place properly and a definite click when it gets there.
Good luck.
Adrian

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