Nick I think you intended to CC the suse-linux-e list with this one....
You might also look into trying another card, preferrably another brand.
I'm not quite ready for that although it may be the solution in the end. However, in the meantime I discovered that in YAST my device showed up correctly but was not configured, although there was a configuration for a wireless device called 'Other' with the same ssid name as in my ifcfg-wlan0 file. (The one I created manually). When I deleted this device, the ifcfg-wlan0 file was deleted too. So I then deleted the associated hardware configuration file, reconfigured in YAST and sure enough the ifcfg-wlan0 file came back. Also parameters changed there, e.g., nickname, are now reflected in iwconfig. All except ssid and mode that is, so no blinking lights. Very, very frustrating. I also have an old smc usb adaptor which I could try I suppose.
Anyone ever got a smc2662w version one adaptor to work?!