Ubiquiti R5AC-LITE 5GHz Rocket AC Lite Basestation
Overview
The R5AC-LITE is a compact 5GHz airMAX AC basestation engineered for dedicated wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links. It delivers 500+ Mbps throughput using dual RP-SMA antenna connectors, allowing you to tune gain and directionality without swapping the radio itself—a critical advantage when you need to optimize a deployed link without site visits. The unit operates across worldwide 5150–5875 MHz bands (U-NII-1, 2A, 2C, 3 in US/CA), so it works across most regions without hardware variants.
Key Features
- 500+ Mbps Throughput: Sufficient for aggregated backhaul or primary connectivity links where latency matters more than LTE redundancy. Realistic sustained rates depend on distance, antenna gain, and interference; this is not a gigabit backhaul radio.
- Passive 2-Pair PoE (pins 4/5+, 7/8 return): Draws only 8.5W maximum, so it runs off standard 24V passive PoE injectors included in the box. No separate power supply or high-capacity PoE switch required—meaningful when deploying in remote tower or building-to-building scenarios where power isolation is preferred.
- Supports 20–27V DC Input Range: Tolerates voltage sag on long PoE runs or aging injectors, reducing field failures on older or extended cabling runs. Paired with the included 24V 0.5A adapter, you get plug-and-play out of the box.
- Dual RP-SMA External Antenna Connectors: Switch between directional patch antennas for point-to-point links or omnidirectional antennas for point-to-multipoint coverage without replacing the radio. Antenna choice directly affects range and interference rejection.
- Operating Temperature -40 to 80°C (-40 to 176°F): Survives outdoor tower and rooftop mounting in cold climates and intense sun without thermal throttling. Confirm antenna and cabling specifications separately—not all antennas maintain gain across this range.
- Single Gigabit Ethernet Port: RJ-45 connection carries both data and power on the same cable, simplifying tower and building-to-building runs. Backward-compatible with legacy airMAX AC networks if upgrading existing deployments.
- LED Indicators (Power, LAN, 4-Level Signal Strength): Real-time visual feedback on link health without SSH into the unit. Signal LED helps installers tune antennas on site—a practical detail often overlooked on compact radios.
- NDAA Section 889 Compliant, CE/FCC/IC Certified: Clears procurement for federal and defense-adjacent installations. No trade or export complications in standard enterprise channels.
- Compact Form Factor (162 × 84 × 37 mm, 250g): Mounts on small tower brackets or building ledges without structural concerns. Weight matters when mounting on existing antenna structures.
Integration & Compatibility
The R5AC-LITE integrates into Ubiquiti airMAX AC networks and supports remote management via the Ubiquiti UniFi controller or standalone AirMax Utility. It is ONVIF-compatible for discovery on IP networks, but does not carry video or camera feeds—it is a pure wireless transport radio. Pair it with external directional antennas for point-to-point range (10+ miles with high-gain antennas) or omnidirectional antennas for multi-sector point-to-multipoint coverage. Link budget and throughput depend critically on antenna choice and placement.
What's in the Box
- 1x airMAX Rocket 5AC Lite Basestation
- 1x 24V 0.5A PoE Adapter (passive 2-pair)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the R5AC-LITE for client or subscriber devices, or is it basestation-only?
A: The R5AC-LITE is designed as a basestation (access point). For client or subscriber links, use a Ubiquiti airMAX AC client radio. Mixing basestations and clients in point-to-multipoint topology is standard airMAX architecture.
Q: What antenna types work with the R5AC-LITE's RP-SMA connectors?
A: Any 5GHz RP-SMA antenna rated for the U-NII-1, 2A, 2C, or 3 bands. Ubiquiti makes dedicated airMAX directional and omnidirectional antennas; third-party WiFi antennas with RP-SMA connectors also fit. Verify frequency range on the antenna datasheet.
Q: Does the R5AC-LITE require a controller or can it run standalone?
A: Standalone operation is supported via the AirMax Utility web interface. Ubiquiti UniFi or Dream Machine controllers are optional for centralized multi-site management but not required for single-link deployments.
Q: Is the R5AC-LITE suitable for point-to-point backhaul in a mesh network?
A: Yes, it is commonly deployed for dedicated backhaul between tower sites or building-to-building links. Throughput of 500+ Mbps supports aggregated subscriber traffic on smaller networks. For larger mesh or hub-and-spoke deployments, consider higher-capacity Ubiquiti 60 GHz or licensed band alternatives.
Q: Can I power the R5AC-LITE over longer distances?
A: The 20–27V DC input range tolerates voltage drop on extended PoE runs (150+ feet). For runs beyond 300 feet, verify voltage at the basestation with a multimeter and consider a PoE injector or repeater closer to the radio. Passive PoE is not as robust as active PoE++ on very long runs.
Q: What is the typical latency of the R5AC-LITE?
A: Latency is low (typically 5–15ms in clear channels) but varies with interference, distance, and antenna gain. Backhaul links are engineered to minimize jitter; confirm with a pilot deployment on your specific path.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The R5AC-LITE is a no-nonsense point-to-point backhaul radio—solid when you need dedicated 5GHz transport between two sites and antenna flexibility matters. The passive 2-pair PoE and 8.5W power envelope mean you can deploy this on a tower with minimal infrastructure. The dual RP-SMA connectors let you swap antennas without touching the radio, which is a practical advantage if your first antenna choice doesn't deliver the gain or directionality you need.
Technical Highlights:
- 500+ Mbps Throughput: Realistic for dedicated backhaul; not a multi-gigabit radio, but sufficient for aggregated subscriber traffic on smaller point-to-multipoint networks.
- 8.5W Max Power Draw: Runs on passive 2-pair PoE with the included 24V adapter. Voltage tolerance of 20–27V DC means it survives aging injectors or long cable runs without redundancy.
- -40 to 80°C Operating Range: No thermal throttling on sun-exposed tower mounts in cold or hot climates. Confirm antenna and cabling ratings separately—they may be more sensitive to temperature extremes.
Deployment Considerations:
- Antenna gain directly sets range and interference rejection. A 24 dBi directional antenna can push point-to-point distance to 10+ miles; omnidirectional variants sacrifice range for coverage symmetry. Test antenna performance before final site selection.
- NDAA compliance clears federal procurement, but confirm your integrator or network operator supports Ubiquiti equipment. Some carriers restrict vendor choice.
- The R5AC-LITE (often searched as R5AC LITE) is a basestation radio. If you need client or subscriber endpoints, source matching airMAX AC client units separately.
Deploy the R5AC-LITE when you have a clear point-to-point or point-to-multipoint architecture with dedicated PoE available and antenna tuning flexibility is a must. Tower-to-building or building-to-building links where you can angle directional antennas for interference avoidance are the typical win.
