Change Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn Wi-Fi Adapter to a 5GHz version

[darrensweeney]

Product number K5G69AA

I would like to know which M.2 WLAN module to buy that will give me 802.11ac and newer bluetooth capabilities?

My current adapter has two antennas connected to it. Will these dual antennas be compatible with the newer 5GHz, or will I need to buy an adapter that includes the antennas too?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

That is the only model Wi-Fi adapter that came with the 300-0xx model series, so you would have to experiment with a different model Wi-Fi card.

I'd try this model and hope that it works:

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265NV (non v-Pro) 802.11 ac 2×2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter   HP part # 860883-001.

Search on eBay by the part number, not the model of the Wi-Fi card.

You can use the existing antenna wires on any M.2 Wi-Fi card.

The antenna wires and connectors are very delicate so use extreme care when trying to remove them from the BCM card.

Bluetooth 5.0 would require this card...but I have no idea if it would work either.

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ax 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0 MU-MIMO M.2 2230 non-vPro   HP part # L35282-005

You should be able to find this model on eBay too.

[darrensweeney]

Thanks Paul. I have ordered the card with the Bluetooth 5.0 and will report back  once I have installed it in case anyone else  the same question  in the future

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[darrensweeney]

I ordered the card with the Bluetooth 5.0 from ebay and it works fine in my PC.

This is what I purchased:

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 ax 2×2 + Bluetooth 5.0 MU-MIMO M.2 2230 non-vPro   HP part # L35282-005

For anyone else trying this, I had an issue removing the  two antennas from my old card.  I thought I was being careful, but I accidently broke the antenna connector off of my old WLAN card. This caused the wire connector to be jamed  with the old tip still stuck inside of the antenna wire connector.  Because everything is so small, it was impossible to unjam it.

Luckily, it works fine with only having one antenna connected..

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Thanks for letting us know the AX200 works fine.

If you were able to connect the antenna to the AX200's main antenna terminal, you will be fine with the wifi but unfortunately the Bluetooth probably will not have enough signal strength to work without the antenna wire being connected.

I broke a terminal off the Wi-Fi card I replaced with a better one on a PCie x1 adapter.

I got a jeweler's loupe, needle nose pliers, and a strong sewing needle, and kept digging at the broken terminal until I was able to get the broken piece out.

I will never replace a M.2 Wi-Fi adapter again.

[darrensweeney]

So far my bluetooth is working, but I have only tested it with a BT device beside the PC, so likely you are correct that if I get farther from the source, the signal strenth will not be there with the missing antenna wire.

I was using the zoom control on my phone and taking pictures trying to fix it that way and by using a small set of pliers and scredriver. I don't have a jewlers loupe, but I like the idea of a strong sewing needle.

These M.2 adapters certinally are not made for this sort of thing.

I really apreciate your assistance.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I didn't have a phone to do that with so I had to resort to an old fashioned jeweler's loupe.

I used a strong needle such as for repairing canvas to probe and gouge.

One that won't bend when using force.