Wireless cards that support AP mode?

Other than Atheros-based cards, for which configuration does not work in YaST, are there any wireless cards that support AP mode?

Alternatively, is there some way to manually configure networking for this interface, without YaST, while still preserving the configuration of everything else?

Hmmm …
I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say. For one thing, Atheros cards are supported perfectly well in YaST, as attested by many “success stories” of Atheros owners in these very forums. Of course, you might have to install the appropriate drivers/firmwares first, so YaST can recognize the card.
As for your question: what does AP stand for in your case? “Acces point?” Isn’t that tantamount to ad-hoc mode (also called peer-to-peer), as opposed to Administered mode? If that’s so, you’re wrong again, since any wireless card can be configured for ad-hoc mode.
Well, that’s MHO, anyway.
Thirdly, if you want to configure your wireless interface “while still preserving configurations for everything else”, then YaST is precisely the tool to use in OpenSuSE. And by far the easiest. You see, in OpenSuSE, the majority of day-to-day tasks and simple user configuration can be accomplished without resorting to console commands or to editing configuration files directly; even more so if you use KDE with its comprehensive Control Center.
:wink: