More about the Ubiquiti 2.4GHz components

Ubiquiti airMAX M 2.4 GHz Components: Reliable wireless bridges up to 150 Mbit

The airMAX M 2.4 GHz series from Ubiquiti Networks is the proven and cost-effective choice for wireless networks in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. These components use the airMAX TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) protocol to ensure reliable throughput of up to 150 Mbit/s over distances of several kilometers.

The 2.4 GHz band offers the advantage over 5 GHz that it can better penetrate obstacles, even if this leads to a higher susceptibility to interference (e.g. from WLAN routers). The airMAX M devices are the ideal solution for setting up small to medium-sized Point-to-Point (PtP) bridges and as a client (CPE) in Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) networks, especially in environments where no free line of sight (Near Line-of-Sight) is achieved.

The core products of the airMAX M 2.4 GHz series

The airMAX M2.4 GHz product family covers different requirements, from compact end devices to high-performance bridges. Here we present the most important models in detail:

NanoStation M2 (NSM2)

  • Role: Versatile CPE and PtP bridge.
  • Antenna: Integrated 11 dBi dual-polarization panel antenna.
  • Special feature: Has two Ethernet ports, with the second port supporting PoE passthrough. This is ideal for connecting an IP camera or another passive PoE device directly without having to lay a second cable.
  • Range: Suitable for PtP connections up to 12 km.

NanoStation Loco M2 (LocoM2)

  • Role: Compact and cost-effective CPE client.
  • Antenna: Integrated 8 dBi dual-polarization panel antenna.
  • Special feature: Smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient than the NSM2.
  • Range: Optimized for shorter distances (typically 5 km+) or as a client in PtMP networks.

Bullet M2 (BM2HP)

  • Role: Flexible radio module.
  • Antenna: Does not have an integrated antenna, but an N-connector (N-Male Connector).
  • Special feature: Transforms any external 2.4 GHz antenna (Omni, Sector, Dish) into a powerful airMAX station (AP or client). The Bullet is screwed directly onto the antenna connection, which eliminates cable losses.

PowerBeam M2-400 (PBE-M2-400)

  • Role: High-performance PtP bridge and long-distance CPE.
  • Antenna: Integrated 18 dBi dish antenna (400 mm diameter).
  • Special feature: The parabolic reflector ensures an extremely narrow beam width, which massively improves noise immunity – a critical advantage in the crowded 2.4 GHz band.
  • Range: Developed for long distances from 12 km up to 20+ km.

Technology and management with airOS 5

All airMAX M devices run under the airOS operating system (usually version 5), which offers an intuitive web interface for configuration and monitoring. Central management functions include:

  • Channel-Shifting: A Ubiquiti-specific function to transmit on non-standard frequencies and thus avoid interference.
  • AirView Spectrum Analyzer: An integrated tool for real-time analysis of the radio spectrum to find the best, lowest-noise channel.
  • Passive PoE: All devices are supplied with power via the Ethernet cable (24V Passive PoE), which considerably simplifies installation in outdoor use.

Despite the market launch of the faster airMAX ac series, the 2.4 GHz M components remain a popular and reliable choice because of their superior range in environments with slight visual obstructions and their wide compatibility (e.g. in the Freifunk area).