Wavelan plugin reports very high signal strengths that do not match wicd and iwconfig.  For example:
15' from router wicd reports 90%, iwconfig reports 65/70, wavelan reports 96%.
25' from router wicd reports 74%, iwconfig reports 50/70, wavelan reports 92%.
40' from router wicd reports 65%, iwconfig reports 47/70, wavelan reports 90%.
50' from router wicd reports 56%, iwconfig reports 40/70, wavelan reports 86%.

Powertop reports my wireless device as ath9k.