Dual Band Wifi Card Require Two Antennas?

[RodgersCreek]

I have this laptop with a Realtek 2.4Ghz M2 card.   I purchased the Intel 3168 which the manual says is compatible.  When I opened the laptop, the Realtek had one antenna wire connected to the lower left connection.  I put in the new card and it could barely find a 2.4Ghz network standing next to the AP.  Also the 5Ghz wouldn't show up until I stood next to the AP.  Do these cards require two antenna connections, one for 2.4 and one for 5?  If so, does this laptop have two antennas and is hiding a wire to it somewhere?

Thanks,

Patrick

[banhien]

@RodgersCreek

>>> If so, does this laptop have two antennas and is hiding a wire to it somewhere?

No, you have to install yourself (and HP does not supply part). The wireless AC card supports up to 8 antennas. Therefore to get better signals you need 2 antennas.

Probably you already have the Maintenance and Service Guide, it clearly says your mchine only has one antenna on page 3:

       Integrated wireless options with single antenna (M.2/PCIe):

Regards.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @RodgersCreek

I don't know if this card will work or not in your model, but Realtek recently came out with a wireless AC M.2 card that works off one antenna, used in the newer HP notebooks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-RTL8821CE-802-11ac-BT4-0-PCI-e-WiFi-WLAN-Adapter-Card-915620-001-915621-...