WiFi Antenna Cables & Connectors Order

The size of the antenna (exposed metal) is a derivative of the wavelength of the signal it is intended to pick up or transmit (1/4 or 1/2 wave being the typical). The closer to the needed measure the better from a performance perspective. The wrong sized antenna can cause the transmitter to fail as the radio energy can burnout the logic when it can't be dissipated. The higher the frequency the shorter the needed antenna.

From a practical stand point the radio's distance range becomes shorter when too short an antenna is used. Swapping the WiFi antenna's in the AC board models is not a problem as MIMO is used. This is where both the 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz share the same antennas but have two front ends on the board to then sum the signal to gain better SNR. The older series used different front ends based on the frequency that is the 2.4 is using one antenna vs the 5.0 and the antenna's are different lengths, Bluetooth is still a different antenna length.

One can buy pre-terminated cables so disconnecting the cable at the antenna and snaking in a replacement I find quicker and more reliable than trying to re-terminate the end with a very short cable end.