How do I connect an external antenna?

[clplaneguy]

I have an HP Pavilion Elite with a 802.11 wireless a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 card.

Product Name: NY599AA-ABA e9237c

Product Number: NY599AA#ABA

NIC: Qualcomm Atheros 802.11 a/b/g/n Duallband Wireless Network Module

I would like to connect an external antenna but i need to know what connector is on the WiFi card.

[wb2001]

Have you looked at the NIC card? Are there 2 screw posts? Is an antenna lead already attched to 1 or 2 posts, leading along the back of the case?

[clplaneguy]

The internal card has 2 internal antena.  They use very very small snap on connectors near the back of the case.  it seems that i need a pigtail to  an antenna or larger cable.

[beatgr]

HP Pavilion Elite e9237c Desktop PC
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=4007348

The PCI printed circuit board actually has been etched for mounting of 2 external SMA connectors, for connection to external antennas -- BUT that option was not factory installed (in HP product photos).
Such as, CONREVSMA002-SMD at $3.50 each (NOT a Consumer/End User Option)
http://www.linxtechnologies.com/en/products/connectors/rp-sma
---
Atheros was founded in 1998; first chipset in 2000 (AR5000 802.11a);
They were acquired by ZyDAS in 2006 (manufacturer of 802.11bg/abg USB/PCI chips);
finally acquired by Qualcomm in 2011.

... Your Atheros Dual-Band Wireless Card is circa 2009.

The CONNECTOR on the Wireless Card is a Hirose U.FL/IPX
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirose_U.FL
U.FL / IPX connectors are commonly used in applications where space is of critical concern, most often Mini PCI cards for laptop computers. U.FL connectors are commonly used inside laptops and embedded systems to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to a Mini PCI card. Another common use is connecting GPS antennas.

NOTE/WARNING: The Hirose U.FL / IPX connector (Japan) is NOT RATED for multiple Connects/Disconnects, this is why RF cables/pigtails are used.

You will need an external antenna kit.
EXAMPLE, without a bracket
http://www.amazon.com/Wi-fi-Antenna-RP-SMA-Antennas-Cables/dp/B00A4I3AGE

The kit consists of 2 coaxial cable jumpers (U.FL to SMA or Reverse SMA/RP-SMA), an expansion bracket for mounting SMA/RP-SMA, and external DUAL-BAND (2.4GHz and 5 GHz) antennas -- either SMA or Reverse SMA to Properly Mate.

These individual components are available via some Internet outlets.
===
Wireless LAN (WLAN) Connectors, KnowledgeBase
http://www.techdata.com/techsolutions/wireless/files/WLAN%20Pigtail%20Chart2.pdf

[beatgr]

What is reason for external antennas?

I could suggest installation of 2 new internal antennas (like laptop computer installations),
behind the plastic front bezel of your HP computer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Internal-Antenna-for-Wireless-Mini-PCI-PCI-E-Laptop-Desktop-Comput...