Ubiquiti RD-5G30 5GHz RocketDish,30dBi,RocketKit

Ubiquiti RD-5G30 5GHz RocketDish Antenna

Overview

The Ubiquiti RD-5G30 is a parabolic dish antenna designed for long-range 5GHz wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint deployments. With 30dBi directional gain and engineered for the UISP wireless ecosystem, the RD-5G30 delivers concentrated RF energy over extended distances, making it suitable for backbone links, remote site connectivity, and area coverage in infrastructure networks. Weighing 21 pounds, this antenna integrates with standard RocketKit configurations for streamlined deployment across carrier-grade installations.

Key Features

The parabolic dish form factor provides high directional gain while maintaining a compact footprint relative to omnidirectional alternatives. The 30dBi specification ensures significant link budget improvement, critical for bridging long distances or penetrating difficult RF environments. The RD-5G30 operates within the UISP wireless product family, ensuring compatibility with Ubiquiti's integrated management and provisioning platform. This antenna is manufactured in China and built to withstand outdoor mounting environments with standard polarization options available through RocketKit bundling.

Deployment Scenarios

The RD-5G30 suits point-to-point backbone links where directional focus is required over extended range. Multi-sector coverage patterns can be achieved through strategic dish placement in campus networks, metro connectivity, or rural broadband distribution. The antenna supports both licensed and unlicensed 5GHz band operation, depending on regional regulations and radio equipment selection.

Network Integration

The RD-5G30 integrates with Ubiquiti UISP radios via standard RF connectors specified in the RocketKit. The antenna's gain characteristics require careful link budget planning; integrators should account for cable loss, connector specifications, and transmit power limits when calculating path loss over the intended distance. Network management occurs through the UISP controller, which provisions and monitors antenna-connected radios from a centralized interface.

Installation Notes

Mounting the RD-5G30 requires structural evaluation due to its 21-pound weight and wind loading. Alignment must be precise; even small angular deviation reduces gain significantly. Standard mast clamps, weatherproof connectors, and low-loss LMR-400 or equivalent coaxial cable are essential for field deployment. The RocketKit packaging includes necessary hardware; verify all components before installation and test RF performance before full site commissioning.

Marty Allison, Infrastructure Architect

"The Ubiquiti RD-5G30 delivers predictable 30dBi gain in a form factor that doesn't require elaborate structural engineering. I've deployed dozens of these in suburban backbone scenarios where 2–5 mile links need reliable uptime. The RocketKit bundling simplifies procurement and reduces integration complexity. Mount it straight, verify alignment with a spectrum analyzer, and it performs exactly as specified. No surprises—just solid long-range RF engineering."