Well, this project starts just like any other laptop wireless card- under the MPCI door. As you can see, I’ve installed a MPCI wireless card into my laptop that previously had no WIFI. I’ve also plugged in some short pigtails that I have run myself. This is where it’s going to get a little more complicated than your typical WIFI install…
I’ve carefully run the pigtail cables through the case and to the other side of the motherboard, in places they won’t get damaged or bent at a sharp angle (it is coaxial cable you know). It was a tough decision figuring out where I was going to place the external connectors, but this corner offered enough room for both connectors and cables to operate without interfering with the normal laptop components.
Once the holes are drilled and the connectors are tight, it’s just a matter of putting everything back together, stopping every step of the way to admire how awesome that looks. Come on, look at it! That’s Hot.
Now you have CHOICES when it comes to antennas. Is this a 7dB day or perhaps only 2dB? Both? Oh I know, today we are wardriving, so we’ll need a 7dB + a magnetic 12dB external on the roof of the car. It’s good to have options.
Don't forget to tell them about testing the leads for the antenna's. hehe.
I can't believe it worked so well with bad leads for a while.
My internal wifi card has a white and black wire which im pretty sure are antenna(s). i want to add an external antenna and i will need to create a rp-sma port like you did. but do you need both antennas or could i just attach a a MMcx cable to where one of the wires on the wifi card is ? i guess what im wondering is do i need to disconect both or just one and which one?
@roondog248
As far as I understand it, most modern cards will use the better of the two for signal. I've seen some use this as an advantage by polarizing the two differently.