A circuit card assembly is described. The circuit card assembly adapts a host circuit card assembly of a host device with an expansion card. By such adaption, the host device may communicate with an access point of an avionics network. The circuit card assembly includes an interface for receiving power from the host circuit card assembly. The circuit card assembly then continuously and selectively provides power to a second interface based on the availability of aircraft power. The second interface receives the expansion card. The circuit card assembly also includes one or more coaxial RF connectors for receiving modulated signals from the expansion card. The circuit card assembly also includes an antenna which transmits radio waves based on the modulated signals.