Ubiquiti RD-5G30-LW-US 2-pack- 5GHz Rocket Dish,30dBi,light wei

Ubiquiti RD-5G30-LW-US 5GHz Directional Dish Antenna

Overview

The Ubiquiti RD-5G30-LW-US is a lightweight 5GHz directional dish antenna engineered for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless deployments requiring extended range and high gain. This 2-pack configuration delivers 30dBi of gain in a form factor optimized for rapid field deployment. Manufactured in China, the antenna weighs 52 pounds per unit, making installation more manageable than traditional heavier dish designs without compromising RF performance. The RD-5G30-LW-US belongs to Ubiquiti's Rocket Dish antenna family, a proven platform deployed across carrier, enterprise, and ISP backbone networks.

Key Features

The directional dish architecture concentrates RF energy in a narrow beamwidth, ideal for bridging long distances with minimal multipath interference. The 30dBi gain specification allows operators to achieve substantial link budgets over 5+ mile spans, depending on environmental conditions and client antenna selection. The lightweight construction reduces wind load on mounting structures and simplifies installation logistics on rooftops and tower segments. As a Rocket Dish variant, the RD-5G30-LW-US integrates seamlessly with Ubiquiti's airOS ecosystem and compatible access points, supporting standard 802.11ac and 802.11n protocols across the 5GHz band.

Deployment Scenarios

This antenna excels in backhaul links connecting remote distribution points to core network infrastructure, particularly where terrain or distance prohibits wired connections. ISPs and system integrators commonly deploy the RD-5G30-LW-US for last-mile connectivity to underserved areas, bridging between base stations and customer aggregation sites. The 2-pack arrangement supports redundant or multi-sector deployments, allowing operators to establish primary and secondary paths or cover multiple service areas from a single infrastructure investment.

Network Integration

The Ubiquiti RD-5G30-LW-US pairs with Rocket M or Rocket AC radio modules, creating standalone bridge units or sector antennas for larger mesh networks. Integrators should validate frequency coordination and transmit power compliance with regional spectrum authorities before deployment. The antenna's high directional gain requires careful azimuth and elevation alignment; misalignment by more than 5–10 degrees typically results in measurable signal degradation.

Installation Notes

Mounting the RD-5G30-LW-US requires a standard antenna mount bracket rated for the 52-pound weight load per antenna. Wind loading calculations should factor the antenna's surface area and local environmental conditions. Cable runs from the radio to the antenna should minimize loss using quality low-loss coax; LMR-400 or equivalent is standard practice for this frequency and gain class.

Marty Allison, Infrastructure Architect

"The RD-5G30-LW-US has become a workhorse for regional broadband operators needing reliable long-distance links without the complexity of larger MIMO systems. The lightweight design versus older generation 30dBi dishes cuts installation time significantly, and when paired with a Rocket AC radio, it delivers stable throughput in congested 5GHz environments. The key is proper alignment and cable management—I've seen a 2-foot coax run undo months of planning if the installer uses sub-standard connectors."