In that case you might look into getting an N800 since it doesn't have the GPS built in ... Short of; like you said; tearing the tablet apart (which I'll admit I have zero knowledge on the hardware/makeup of this tablet).. you could code the OS to not initialize the gps daemons when the device boots up.. going so far as to remove the GPS software installed on the tablet.

If the antenna is never turned on I don't think it will try to transmit/receive anything; but I have not done any kind of signal testing to that effect.