airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range is an affordable airMAX AC CPE from Ubiquiti, purpose-built for long-distance point-to-point links. Combining a 26 dBi integrated antenna with genuinely durable outdoor construction, this bridge is designed for installers who need serious range without the cost of a larger dish-based PowerBeam model.

The airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range operates across the 5150–5875 MHz frequency range worldwide, with US/CA coverage spanning U-NII-1 through U-NII-3 bands. Its 26 dBi antenna gain gives it strong reach for extending links across greater distances, making it a genuinely capable option for rural connectivity, backhaul over open terrain, or bridging locations separated by significant distance.

A standout feature of the airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range is its dedicated management radio, operating on the 2412–2472 MHz band worldwide (2412–2462 MHz in the US/CA). This separate management channel allows administrators to access and configure the device out-of-band, even while the primary 5 GHz link is under heavy load — a genuinely useful feature for remote troubleshooting on long-distance links where physical access is inconvenient.

Channel bandwidth support covers 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz in PtP mode and 10/20/30/40 MHz in PtMP mode, giving network designers flexibility depending on the link configuration. The airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range supports airMAX AC Mode, Ubiquiti’s proprietary TDMA-based protocol that improves scalability and reduces collision-related performance loss, along with Discovery Protocol, Frequency Band Offset, and Traffic Shaping with Burst Support.

Distance adjustment features include both Ackless Mode and Dynamic Ack, tuning acknowledgment timing to maximize throughput efficiency specifically over long-range links. QoS is handled through WMM packet classification with High, Medium, and Low priority tiers, while a full services suite covers bridging, DHCP, ping watchdog, routing, SNMP, SSH, and webserver access.

Built with an aluminum and polycarbonate enclosure, the airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range is rated to withstand wind loading of 550N at 200km/h (125mph), with matching wind survivability at that same rating — genuinely robust for exposed, long-distance link installations. At 1.4kg without the mount (1.7kg with it) and 512 x 385.8 x 258.3mm, it strikes a solid balance between size and reach.

Connectivity includes 1 GbE RJ45 port, powered via passive PoE 2-pair using the included 24V, 0.3A gigabit PoE adapter, with a supported voltage range of 20-27V DC and maximum power consumption of just 7W — genuinely efficient given its long-range capability. The unit includes a pole mount bracket, operates across an extreme -40°C to 70°C temperature range, is NDAA compliant, and carries CE, FCC, and IC certification.

For installers and WISPs needing an affordable, genuinely long-range bridge with the convenience of out-of-band management access, the airMAX LiteBeam 5AC Long-Range offers dependable performance for links that need real distance.