Legacy airMAX AC base-station radio
Ubiquiti Rocket 5AC Point-to-Multipoint R5AC-PTMP in Dubai, UAE
The R5AC-PTMP was built as an outdoor 5 GHz radio for point-to-multipoint wireless networks using a separate compatible airMAX antenna. Because this exact model is now a legacy product, the most important buying decision is not simply finding a unit; it is confirming whether a remaining unit is suitable for the existing network, supported firmware, regional frequency plan and intended subscriber devices.
Before requesting a quote
Share the current antenna model, subscriber radios, channel plan, site distance, required capacity and whether the request is for replacement or a new build.
Outdoor PtMP base-station radio
5 GHz, region dependent
External compatible antenna required
Legacy/discontinued model
Direct answer for buyers
The Ubiquiti R5AC-PTMP is an outdoor airMAX AC radio intended to act as the access-point side of a 5 GHz point-to-multipoint network when connected to a suitable external sector antenna. It is mainly considered by operators maintaining an older Ubiquiti wireless distribution system or replacing a failed matching radio. A buyer should confirm the exact hardware revision, firmware path, antenna connectors, power method, permitted regional frequencies, subscriber compatibility and realistic capacity target before proceeding. For a new network, a currently supported base-station platform may offer a clearer lifecycle path and should be compared before a purchase decision is made.
What it does
The radio provides the active wireless and Ethernet functions for a fixed outdoor wireless base station. When paired with a compatible sector antenna and correctly configured client radios, it can distribute network connectivity from one elevated site to multiple remote locations. Typical designs use the base station at a tower, rooftop, mast or high building, with customer-premises radios aligned back to it.
It is not a complete wireless system by itself. The antenna, mounting arrangement, surge protection, grounding, cabling, PoE source, client radios, network switch, routing design and site survey all affect the final outcome.
Who it may suit
The strongest use case is an organisation that already operates compatible airMAX AC equipment and needs a carefully checked replacement. Wireless service providers, private compounds, farms, warehouses, schools, resorts and industrial sites may also encounter this model in an installed network.
It is less suitable for a buyer starting a completely new network without a compatibility requirement. In that situation, current alternatives, available firmware support and long-term replacement planning deserve greater weight than matching an older bill of materials.
Business challenges this radio was designed to address
Connecting several remote buildings
A central base station can serve multiple fixed endpoints where trenching fibre is impractical, delayed or too disruptive. Link design still depends on line of sight, distance, interference and required throughput.
Extending an existing airMAX network
Operators with compatible subscriber radios may consider a matching base-station replacement to reduce immediate redesign. Firmware and client compatibility must be verified rather than assumed.
Managing shared wireless access
The airMAX platform uses scheduled access methods intended for fixed outdoor links. Capacity is shared across connected stations, so oversubscription, traffic profiles and peak demand need careful planning.
Operating in busy 5 GHz environments
The product generation introduced filtering and interference-management features for challenging radio environments. These features do not remove the need for spectrum analysis, antenna isolation and disciplined channel planning.
Core capabilities in practical terms
Designed for fixed wireless infrastructure rather than indoor Wi-Fi access for phones and laptops.
Supports a central access point serving multiple compatible remote radios when configured and engineered correctly.
Provides wired network connectivity and receives power through passive PoE.
Allows pairing with a suitable sector antenna selected for coverage angle, gain and site geometry.
Product-fit matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy replacement | The installed network specifically depends on R5AC-PTMP behaviour or fit. | Revision, firmware, condition, PoE accessory and antenna connection. |
| New PtMP deployment | Only after comparison with current supported base-station options. | Lifecycle, subscriber roadmap, capacity, channel availability and support. |
| High-interference site | A spectrum survey confirms usable channels and the design includes appropriate antenna isolation. | Noise floor, competing transmitters, channel width and legal EIRP. |
| Multiple remote endpoints | Client count, traffic pattern and coverage sector are within an engineered capacity plan. | Client models, expected concurrent demand, distances and line of sight. |
Technical information and buyer notes
| Brand | Ubiquiti |
|---|---|
| Product name | Rocket 5AC Point-to-Multipoint |
| Model | R5AC-PTMP |
| Product type | Outdoor 5 GHz airMAX AC base-station radio |
| Deployment | Point-to-multipoint; configuration and compatible clients required |
| Wireless architecture | 2×2 MIMO airMAX AC generation |
| Frequency range | 5 GHz class; usable frequencies and transmit power are region dependent |
| Network interface | Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 |
| Power | 24V passive PoE generation; included injector must be confirmed with the offered unit |
| Antenna | External compatible dual-polarity antenna required |
| Management | airOS generation; firmware availability and management compatibility must be confirmed |
| Lifecycle status | Legacy/discontinued; contact FourTeck for current options |
| Warranty guidance | Depends on source, unit condition and current supplier terms |
| Availability | Not confirmed; may depend on remaining channel stock, refurbished supply or replacement selection |
Compatibility and lifecycle notice
R5AC-PTMP should not be purchased solely because another Rocket model has a similar enclosure or name. The R5AC-PTMP, R5AC-Lite and later Rocket Prism products are separate models with different intended operating profiles and lifecycle positions. A replacement assessment should consider the exact antenna, connector arrangement, channel width, subscriber firmware, synchronization expectations, management workflow and local frequency rules.
For a network that must remain operational while equipment is changed, plan a maintenance window and a rollback method. Export the existing configuration where possible, record current channel and power settings, document client signal levels and verify that a proposed replacement can support the installed client population. Changing only the access point may still require client-side firmware updates or configuration changes.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Document the existing network
Record the base-station model, antenna, PoE source, firmware, client models, channel width, frequencies, distances and current performance.
Confirm the real requirement
Decide whether the need is a like-for-like replacement, capacity expansion, coverage change or complete redesign. Each path leads to a different bill of materials.
Compare legacy and current options
Evaluate support status, availability, expected service life, antenna compatibility, client migration effort and future expansion before selecting hardware.
Plan configuration and changeover
Prepare configuration values, mounting and safety work, test criteria, outage communication and post-installation monitoring.
Capacity planning for a shared PtMP sector
A point-to-multipoint sector does not provide the headline radio rate independently to every remote site. All connected stations share airtime. The effective throughput available to each endpoint changes with signal quality, modulation rate, traffic direction, packet size, retransmissions, channel width and the behaviour of other clients. A design that appears acceptable with two lightly used clients may behave differently after ten or twenty sites are added.
Buyers should estimate busy-hour traffic rather than only maximum subscribed bandwidth. CCTV uploads, cloud backups, voice traffic, point-of-sale applications and interactive business systems have different latency and consistency needs. Long-distance or poorly aligned clients can consume disproportionate airtime. It may be better to divide coverage across multiple sectors, narrow the coverage angle or move demanding sites to dedicated point-to-point links.
For an older R5AC-PTMP network, capacity planning should also include the cost and operational risk of preserving a legacy platform. When growth is expected, migrating to a current platform may be more economical than sourcing scarce replacement units and repeating the same upgrade discussion later.
Interference control and antenna selection
The radio is only one part of RF performance. The sector antenna determines coverage width, gain, front-to-back rejection, vertical beam pattern and physical wind loading. A high-gain antenna can improve link budget, but it also requires accurate alignment and can create coverage gaps close to the tower if the downtilt and elevation pattern are poorly matched to the site.
In Dubai and other dense business areas, 5 GHz noise can vary substantially by rooftop and direction. A spectrum scan should be performed at the proposed mounting height. Nearby access points, wireless bridges, radar-affected channels and reflections from buildings can influence channel selection. Legal channel use, dynamic frequency selection obligations and allowed transmit power must be respected for the regional configuration.
Good practice includes physical separation from other transmitters, shielded outdoor cable where appropriate, surge protection, grounding and careful routing away from electrical noise. No interference-management feature can compensate for blocked line of sight, severe Fresnel-zone obstruction, unstable mounting or an overloaded sector.
Management, firmware and operational continuity
A legacy wireless platform requires disciplined change control. Before a firmware update, confirm release compatibility across both the access point and client devices. Save configurations, note credentials, capture screenshots of wireless settings and record signal statistics for key clients. Updating only one side without a compatibility review can interrupt service or change available features.
Monitoring should cover more than whether the radio responds to ping. Track noise floor, signal level, modulation, retransmissions, client count, Ethernet errors, CPU and memory status where available, and the distribution of airtime across users. Sudden changes may indicate antenna movement, water ingress, cable damage, new interference or a client alignment problem.
For business-critical links, maintain a documented recovery path. This may include a configured spare, replacement PoE injector, known-good cable, access method from the wired side and a plan for tower or rooftop access. With discontinued equipment, a current replacement strategy is part of operational continuity, not merely a future purchasing exercise.
Ideal environments and realistic use cases
Wireless service networks
An operator maintaining older airMAX AC customer devices may need a compatible replacement while planning a staged migration. Subscriber count, service packages and interference should be reviewed together.
Industrial and logistics sites
Warehouses, yards and remote buildings may use fixed wireless links where civil work is difficult. Availability expectations and environmental installation requirements should be defined before selection.
Agricultural and remote operations
Farms and dispersed facilities can connect offices, gates, pumps or monitoring points where line of sight is available. Solar power and remote maintenance requirements may influence the wider design.
Campus and compound connectivity
Schools, resorts and business compounds can distribute network service between buildings, but critical applications may require redundancy or fibre where practical.
Integration and installation considerations
The base station normally connects to a switch, router or firewall through its Ethernet interface. Confirm VLAN design, management addressing, DHCP requirements, routing boundaries and whether subscriber traffic must be isolated. Outdoor cabling should be selected for the environment, and surge protection and grounding should follow the site electrical and safety design.
Mounting must account for wind, mast strength, access for maintenance and antenna alignment. The radio and antenna should not be installed where staff can accidentally disturb cables or connectors. Weather sealing must be completed according to the equipment instructions, and cable drip loops should be provided where appropriate.
A commissioning test should verify wired link speed, RF channel, client registration, signal and noise values, throughput in both directions, latency under load and failover behaviour if redundancy exists. Installation scope, working-at-height requirements and access permissions should be stated in the quotation rather than assumed.
Questions to resolve before ordering
Provide photographs and labels from the existing unit so the model and hardware can be checked.
Share the antenna model, beam width, gain and connector arrangement.
List client radio models, firmware versions, quantities and link distances.
State peak aggregate traffic, critical applications and projected growth.
Provide spectrum survey results where available and details of nearby radios.
Clarify whether FourTeck should include staging, migration planning, installation or testing.
Procurement checklist
☐ Exact R5AC-PTMP model or acceptable replacement
☐ Required quantity and spare-unit requirement
☐ New, unused, refurbished or used condition acceptance
☐ Existing antenna model and mounting hardware
☐ Subscriber radio models and firmware versions
☐ Regional frequency and regulatory configuration
☐ Passive PoE injector and power-cord requirement
☐ Outdoor cable, surge protection and grounding items
☐ Site distance, line of sight and coverage angle
☐ Aggregate throughput and client-count target
☐ Configuration backup and migration scope
☐ Rooftop or tower installation access
☐ Warranty terms for the specific offered unit
☐ Delivery destination and project schedule
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can help determine whether sourcing the exact R5AC-PTMP is technically and commercially sensible. The review can begin with the installed bill of materials, photographs, configuration export, client list and service requirement. This information helps distinguish a simple hardware failure from a wider capacity, interference or lifecycle issue.
Where an exact replacement is requested, FourTeck can coordinate a quotation subject to current availability and the condition of any located unit. Where the legacy model is unsuitable or unavailable, the team can discuss a current Rocket Prism or other appropriate platform, along with antenna, PoE, mounting and migration implications. Alternatives should be selected according to confirmed compatibility rather than assumed equivalence.
Configuration, installation and testing can be included as separate project scope when required. Buyers can also review FourTeck technology products, explore installation and support services, or send the requirement through the FourTeck contact page.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the R5AC-PTMP. Because the exact model is discontinued, fulfilment may depend on remaining supplier inventory, unit condition, quantity and vendor lead time. A quotation should identify whether the offered item is new, old stock, refurbished or used, and should state the included accessories and warranty terms applicable to that specific supply.
For projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, delivery and technical coordination can be discussed once the exact requirement is confirmed. Installation, antenna work, configuration and migration are separate scope items and should be included explicitly where needed. For a new deployment, FourTeck may recommend reviewing currently supported alternatives before finalising the purchase.
GCC availability
Organisations across the GCC can approach FourTeck for requirement review, model comparison and quotation coordination for outdoor wireless infrastructure. For a legacy item such as the R5AC-PTMP, the destination country, required quantity, acceptable unit condition, antenna compatibility and replacement urgency should be shared at the start. FourTeck can help compare the cost and operational impact of sourcing an older radio against migrating to a current base-station platform. Requirements from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman may involve different frequency rules, power cords, delivery arrangements and project conditions. Product availability, service visits, licensing where applicable, delivery schedules and vendor lead times can vary by country and supplier. Buyers should confirm the destination, exact model, quantity, installation location, preferred timeline, required accessories and any configuration or commissioning assistance. For regional enquiries, the FourTeck Kuwait resource and the main business technology contact channel may also support coordination.
Africa availability
FourTeck can assist organisations planning outdoor wireless links in African markets with product evaluation, replacement planning, accessories, configuration scope and procurement coordination. Legacy equipment requires particular care because remaining supply may vary in condition and regional suitability. Buyers should provide the destination country, exact model requirement, quantity, preferred deployment date, existing antenna and client details, power expectations and any installation or support needs. Availability and fulfilment can depend on supplier location, shipping arrangements, vendor lead time, local frequency regulations, environmental conditions and the practical scope of site work. A current replacement platform may be more appropriate where long-term support and expansion are important. FourTeck resources for Africa technology projects, Kenya enquiries and Uganda enquiries can help buyers begin a requirement discussion. No local inventory, customs outcome, delivery date or onsite coverage should be assumed until the destination and project scope have been reviewed.
Related products and services to consider
Rocket Prism 5AC Gen2
A current comparison point for 5 GHz PtMP or PtP base-station requirements. Compatibility and migration implications must be verified.
Compatible sector antenna
Coverage angle, gain, mounting, connector arrangement and regional EIRP determine the correct antenna choice.
Outdoor surge protection
Ethernet surge protection and grounding should be included in the site electrical and lightning-risk plan.
Wireless site survey
A survey can assess line of sight, path profile, noise, channel availability, mounting position and likely coverage.
Configuration and migration
Staging, configuration transfer, client migration and commissioning can be scoped for an orderly changeover.
Point-to-point alternative
High-demand or critical remote sites may be better served by dedicated PtP links rather than shared sector airtime.
Why businesses contact FourTeck
The value of assistance is in clarifying the requirement before a purchase creates another compatibility or lifecycle problem. FourTeck can review the exact model, identify missing accessories, check the role of the existing antenna, compare replacement pathways, coordinate a bill of materials and include configuration or installation scope in the quotation. This is particularly important for discontinued wireless equipment, where a low purchase price can be outweighed by uncertain condition, limited replacement options or future migration work.
Buyers should provide enough information for a practical decision: photographs, labels, topology, client models, distances, service targets, site access and expected project timing. The resulting discussion can focus on operational fit rather than generic product claims.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ubiquiti R5AC-PTMP still a current model?
It is a legacy/discontinued model. Current availability should be checked, and buyers planning a new network should compare supported alternatives.
Can it be used without an external antenna?
No. The radio requires a compatible external antenna selected for the intended coverage pattern and regulatory limits.
Is R5AC-PTMP the same as R5AC-Lite?
No. They are different models. Similar naming and enclosure style should not be treated as proof of identical radio behaviour or suitability.
Which client radios are compatible?
Compatibility depends on model, firmware and configuration. Provide the exact client list for review before ordering.
Does the radio include a PoE injector?
Original packages commonly used passive PoE accessories, but the included components of any currently offered unit must be confirmed in writing.
Can FourTeck configure the unit?
Configuration, migration and commissioning can be discussed as project scope after the network requirements and access arrangements are confirmed.
What information is needed for a quote?
Share quantity, destination, existing antenna, client models, firmware, link distances, expected capacity, required accessories and installation needs.
Should I choose a newer Rocket Prism instead?
A newer platform may be more appropriate for new deployments, but antenna, client and configuration compatibility must be assessed before migration.
Is a fixed throughput guaranteed?
No. Real performance depends on channel width, interference, signal quality, client count, traffic pattern, distance and installation quality.
How is warranty handled for a discontinued unit?
Warranty depends on the source, condition and supplier terms of the exact offered unit. It should be confirmed before purchase.
Confirm whether R5AC-PTMP is the right purchase
Send the existing model details, antenna, clients, quantities and project location. FourTeck can review legacy availability and compare a suitable current replacement where necessary.
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