Ubiquiti LTU Pro 5 GHz Wireless CPE, 24 dBi Dish Antenna LTU-Pro

What this radio is for

This Ubiquiti radio sits at the remote end of a wireless network. CPE stands for customer premises equipment, and PtMP means point to multipoint, where one base station serves many clients.

It is a job for an installer or network operator already planning a base station, and not a stand-alone wireless bridge between two buildings.

How it works

• LTU technology: Ubiquiti's own radio design and silicon replace standard Wi‑Fi, so both ends of the link must speak it.
• Bridge or router: in bridged mode it passes network traffic straight through. In NAT router mode it gives the site behind it a separate network.
• Signal control: the AP (access point) sets a target for the radio's TX output power. That helps a whole network keep its signal levels stable.
• Spectral analysis: airView runs on its own receiver and shows the radio noise around the site, which helps when choosing a channel.

Where to use it

It is made for a pole outdoors, with a UV stabilised plastic enclosure and a working range of ‑40 to 60° C.

The narrow 14° beam needs a clear line of sight to the base station. Trees and buildings in the path weaken a 5 GHz signal.

What the figures mean in practice

• 24 dBi: dBi measures how tightly an antenna focuses its signal. A high figure reaches further, but aiming matters more.
• Later firmware features: 4096QAM and channels up to 100 MHz need a later firmware, so check the current release before relying on them.
• Frequency range: the radio covers 4800 ‑ 6200 MHz, depending on regulatory region. Use only the frequencies and power allowed where it is installed.
• 150 N @ 200 km/h: this is the sideways force on the pole at that wind speed. A dish of 316.5 x 316.5 x 174.3 mm catches the wind, so choose a pole with that load in mind.

Installing it

• Finding the base station: the radio scans for APs using the same channel bandwidth, so set the same bandwidth on both before you start. You can then configure it from the AP side with Find My AP.
• Line-of-sight check: the Fresnel view shows line of sight, the first Fresnel zone and the 60% clearance zone. Fresnel zone means the space around the direct path that also needs to stay clear.
• Cable run: use outdoor-rated network cable up the pole, as indoor sheaths can crack in sunlight.
• Adapter position: keep the PoE adapter somewhere dry with a mains socket.

Planning your system

The job needs an LTU Rocket at the base site. Ubiquiti's own example pairs it with an airMAX sector antenna. Check that hardware is in place first, because this radio will not form a link without it.

The adapter and the pole mount kit are included. The job still needs a pole, network cable, a mains supply at the adapter and a switch or router to connect to.

If the link carries CCTV to a network video recorder, add up every camera's bitrate and leave headroom.

Standards and ratings explained

• CE, FCC and IC: CE is the European conformity marking, FCC the US radio approval and IC the Canadian one.
• ESD/EMP protection: this is protection against static discharge and electrical pulses, rated ± 24kV Contact/Air.