Contents
1. Antenna Cable
Running cable from your node to your roof will cause loss of signal. You should always try to make your runs short (about 40 feet or so). There is an attenuation calculator, with thanks to Times Microwave. They also have downloadable cable calculators. [Cf. SignalLoss page.]
Use good quality wire. We are using LMR-400 because it is cost efficient (~$0.90 per foot). If you're a lunatic about signal loss, you can spend about $7 a foot and more.
2001/03/27 by Kory Mohr (kmohr@nospam.frontierbb.com) - Here's an excellent resource for flexible LMR-400 cable at $0.63 a foot, DavisRF Buryflex
2005/11/03 LMR-400 cable available at Wireless Network Products
A small section of LMR-400 showing the layers, and size reference to coins. 
See WaterProofingCables for info on sealing outdoor connectors.
If your cable run approaches 40 feet or more, begin having a look at alternatives, too, such as locating your AP at or near your antenna. You might use an enclosure from WaterProofBoxes, perhaps Power Over Ethernet (POE) or a USB dongle, all described or referenced elsewhere here on SWN.
2. Connectors
If your WirelessCard has an external connector, it is most likely the Lucent or a Cisco proprietary connector. The Lucent uses an MC-Card connector manufactured by Radiall, and is extremely hard to get ahold of unless you buy from an antenna vendor.
The MCX Family (MCX and MMCX) are snap-on 50 Ohm connectors similar to SMB that follow the European CECC 22220 standard. M/A-Com part OSX is equivalent to the MCX. [...] It appears the MMCX stands for Micro-Mate C. These connectors are designed to permit at least 500 interconnect cycles. [...] "SMA" connector [...]
Subminiature A [...] one of the most commonly used RF/microwave connectors. It is intended for use on semi-rigid cables and in components which are connected infrequently. It takes the cable dielectric directly to the interface without air gaps. [...] A few hundred interconnect cycles are possible if performed carefully. Care should be taken to join connectors straight-on. Prior to making a connection it is wise to inspect the female end to assure that the center socket is in good condition (fingers not bent or missing). [...] Most SMA connectors have higher reflection coefficients than other connectors available for use to 24 GHz because of the difficulty to anchor the dielectric support.
[WA1MBA, Tom. RFconn, 2006/03/14.]
Emphasis added. This quote about SMA interconnect cycles would similarly apply to the MCX family, above.
It's important to carefully remove the connection without tugging on the coax and loosening it from the tiny MMCX connector. I remove it by holding the card such that I can put my thumbnail right against the inner corner of the right-angled connector. The thumbnail thus pushes against the metal part of the connector body instead of against the strain relief shrink-wrap section. The other benefit is that the removal force is essentially along the axis of the connection. I push hard and the connector will pop out of the socket without damage. [StartideRising, 2nd paragraph of RE-05U Omni Review, on the SenaoCard page.]
The Cisco connector on the PCMCIA card is MMCX and should be pretty easy to find. The Cisco connector on the PCI or ISA card is ReverseTNC (RP-TNC) male. Most people use a PigTail to adapt the connection on their wireless card to a standard N connector.
There is a handy reference to connectors with cross-section diagrams and dimensions available at Pasternack Enterprises. Just click on the Connector Identifier button. Hyperlink Technologies has an excellent reference to connectors with pictures that are much clearer than the Pasternack diagrams, IMHO.
Antennas have been mostly (female) N connectors although I know if you buy them from Cisco, they will most likely have a ReverseTNC to avoid pigtails. The convention for cantennas is female N on whatever can. Most access points (AP) and PCI-based WLAN cards with external antenna jacks will be RP-TNC or RP-SMA. Most PCMCIA-based cards don't have them. The few that do (Lucent, Cisco, others) normally have Lucent (MC), MMCX or RP-MMCX. See HardwareComparison.
Typical signal strength loss for connectors installed by certified pros is .05-.15dB ideal, and to 2.5dB per the SignalLoss page. "N connector manufacturers specify losses from 0.05dB to 0.15dB depending on signal frequency." [A3 of About Pigtails Q and A. Original references not provided as of 2006/03/14.]
Connector installation quality and connection condition are typically more significant for practical throughput (cf. the caveats at "NB").
2.1. N Female
Yagi Connection
Female N on cable
2.2. N Male
Before Crimping
N male on Lucent pigtail
N male on Heliax
2.3. Reverse TNC Female
Wow! That looks different from the TNC-like connectors on the back of the WAP11. I'll get some pictures of how to make your own WAP11-style TNC conectors. -- JayPrimePositive
2.4. SMA Male
A bit too bright on the illumination, but at least it's something.
2.5. MMCX and RP-MMCX
RP-MMCX-Female is a male MMCX connector body with a female center post. 
MMCX female connector is common on quite a few 802.11b PCMCIA cards. Note carefully how the center post is hollow so that it can accept the pin from a male MMCX connector. 
Comparison of an RP-MMCX connector size to a penny: 
There are both regular MMCX and RP-MMCX connectors. With standard MMCX, there are both male and female connectors. The female connector has a female (socket) body and a female center post (hollow shaft). The male MMCX has a male body (plug) and male center post (straight pin). With a female RP-MMCX, there is a male body with a female center post. The standard MMCX style is much more common than the RP-MMCX style.
2.6. Yet to photo
3. Sources
For local and for more suppliers, cf. buying pigtails connectors, and cable on the PigTail page.
WirelessNetworkProducts Great pigtail finder site - Pigtail Picker, 2005/11/3.
Don Davis in Asheville, NC (don@new-era.com) stocks MMCX to type-N and Lucent (MC) to type-N pigtails for $10 each and ships daily. - Don Davis (added 2003 April 23). 2006/03/13, /15 Domain NF.
Vetco Electronics Vetco Surplus After a long search and asking around, Vetco Electronics in Bellevue now carries RP-TNC, RP-N and RP-BNC connectors. They have a few different connectors, depending on what gauge cable you are using (LMR-400, etc). I'm told they will soon have stock of Lucent pigtails. If this happens, it would be the first local store around Seattle that has them in stock. -EricJohanson
Vetco also now carries a small number of external 802.11b antennas.
Vetco has MOVED to a new location. They are now at 12718 Northup Way, a block east of the 124th Avenue exit off of SR 520.
They seem to have their fair share of MMCX connectors these days, but are completely absent the plain MCX variant. Also be prepared for completely clueless staff there. Know what connectors you need and exactly what they look like before you go in, since they often times won't even know their own prices and will need ask you to quote them the price that you saw for the product on the shelf. Be Prepared! [late 2003]
Vetco now carries MC card connectors for LMR-100 cable, listed in their catalog.
Cf. Vetco at buying pigtails on the PigTail page.
All-West (206 762-1875) in Seattle also sells MMCX connectors.
MetrixCommunication has some cable assemblies and is local to Seattle. You can pick up your gear at HackNight or arrange a pickup.
http://www.quicklock.info/article.html (Research on an Optimal Design for QMA and QN Connectors)
S.M. Electronics has many N, SMA, MCX, & MMCX cables & connectors; http://www.smelectronics.us
