How to Connect a Data Card to an External Antenna

You can improve your wireless Internet connection with an added antenna.

Computer systems have open expansion card slots, allowing you to install additional hardware in the form of data cards. These cards add features such as wireless Internet adapters and video cards. If you have a wireless Internet data card installed on your computer, you can connect it to an external Wi-Fi antenna, if the data card has a supported antenna connection port.

Instructions

1. Check your wireless Internet data card for antenna ports. This is a small jack that allows you to connect external antennas. If there is no port available, you are not capable of connecting external antennas to the card.

2. Plug the external wireless Internet antenna into the open jack on your data card. The antenna plugs right into the jack and fits snugly.

3. Rotate the antenna so it points directly upward. This gives it the strongest wireless signal.

4. Move the antenna away from any metal objects. The metal is going to bounce off of the wireless signals, preventing you from receiving improved Internet connections.

References

• Binary Wolf: Wireless WiFi Antenna Most Common Connectors Guide
• Wi-Fi Planet: External Antenna Information
• BHPhoto Video: Netgear PCI Adapter Card Antenna
• WiFi Own: WiFi Cards and Antennas