Since the late 1990s, RP-SMA has become a far popular connector than SMA, and as a result of this, there are far more RP SMA antenna options than SMA antenna options.

Antennas with RP-SMA connectors are commonly seen on WiFi, LTE 4G, GSM 3G, and Bluetooth devices. Standard SMA connectors were used on WiFi devices for decades, with the problem that non-compatible SMA antennas and coaxial antenna cables were common on the market. The FCC mandated that WIFi devices feature a different connector assembly, one not compatible with off-brand antennas and coax cables. The RP-SMA antenna was developed to address this mandate by simply reversing which gender has the pin, and which gender has the receptacle.

Data Alliance provides weatherproof / waterproof RP SMA antennas suitable for long-term outdoor use.

An RP-SMA male antenna can be attached directly to the wireless device, or extended via a coax RP-SMA cable. The connection is rated for up to 500 uses, assuming manufacturer-recommended torque.

The male connector features a 7.67mm hex barrel with interior threading at 36 threads per inch, just like standard SMA. However, the male connector features the receptacle, not the pin. The female connector has exterior threading but features the pin instead of the receptacle. Housings can be constructed from brass or stainless steel, with nickel or gold plating on the connection points and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dielectric insulation.

Like the SMA, RP-SMA WiFi antenna connectors pull DC from 0GHm to 18GHz at 50 Ohms impedance.