After setting reg domain to BO:
An Alfa AWUS036NH behaves normally. Sets itself to 30dBm. WON'T allow setting to 33, which it's specced for.
A Buffalo WLI-UC-GNHP allows me to set it to 30dBm, which can't be right for such a tiny dongle.
An Alfa AWUS036EW allows setting to 30dBm as well. When it's marketed max is 27dBm (500mw)
An atheros usb behaves normally. 20dBm max, settable to max of 20.
Internal broadcom works normally. max of 19dBm for 2.4 and 21 for 5ghz, enforced properly.

The only thing the errant cards have in common is that the two n's use RT2800USB. the 036EW (bg) uses RTL8187 though...