s about UniFi AP
s about UniFi AP
Reviewing these products, I was curious about installing an AP on a ceiling in that location. How well would they perform through a cinder-block wall? (For example, sufficient for basic use with two walls or limited by the distance; or maybe they’d struggle even outside.) My current setup works with Wi-Fi N 150/300 and drywall/plaster walls, but I’m expecting much lower speeds—around 20Mbps at best. Upgrading to a higher-range model might help, possibly covering both inside and outside areas, though the client side could still face range issues.
The Lite meets the needs of many users. The Pro and LR models suit denser client setups, with the LR offering a marginally extended reach thanks to a slight antenna adjustment. If you require a broader omnidirectional coverage in your yard—especially if it’s positioned outside—the LR could work provided budget and supply allow. Any wireless signal will weaken when passing through concrete or metal structures. A few walls help, but more than that may limit effectiveness. Such considerations rarely yield uniform opinions. No, LR omnidirectional antennas don’t operate at maximum strength in this scenario. Most devices already comply with local power limits, and manufacturers fine-tune settings for optimal performance. 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals struggle to penetrate obstacles. Some firmware lets you boost power beyond legal limits, but doing so risks drawing FCC scrutiny and adding unwanted interference, which can harm overall signal quality.
I noticed you can mount them on a wall to improve directional coverage. The ideal angles are typically around 150°, 180°, 160°, etc., which could work well outdoors. For your setup—covering about 150 feet (under 50 meters) in open air—this range might be optimal. If you install them on the ceiling, you can include parts of the house and fine-tune placement for better performance during the second AP.
The 'saucer-shaped' APs should be placed horizontally for maximum coverage since their radiation pattern forms a donut shape. Signals weaken quickly above and below the device compared to the sides. Mounting vertically improves vertical signal strength, though not much in the horizontal direction. For long-range projection, a directional antenna such as the UMA-D attached to the UAP-AC-M is recommended, aimed toward the open area. Expect limited coverage near your home; walls will likely block the signal. Are you limited to Ubiquiti APs? What is your budget? How many clients do you need?
no limits on spending (though I won’t buy ten APs each one) and I’d cap myself at five clients most of the time. right now my setup is just two phones and a Raspberry Pi, plus a couple of devices that run on Wi-Fi—one phone acts as an MP3 player with mail alerts across several spots. there are no walls blocking the signal (except maybe a crawl space), everything’s on one floor and I don’t mind the Wi-Fi. it’s all about simplicity and getting things up and running without fuss. i connect what i need, except the Pi which is too small for an onboard jack and no USB port. my two APs are an ASUS RT-N12D1 (beta firmware) and a Buffalo WZR-300HP (DDWRT). the only solid performer is a Linksys WTR54GL (tomato), though the G band is slow; it’s not in service yet. probably worth mentioning that at around 150 feet I’d see line of sight and decent speed, maybe up to YouTube quality at 50 feet—slow but functional.
Do you possess a gadget capable of functioning as a router? Or an ISP device through which access points can be linked? These Ubiquiti APs operate purely as APs and will require an upstream router; they also run on PoE power. Are you certain you need Ubiquiti APs for this setup? Do you have a layout of the building? If I were installing this, I’d install a U6-Mesh vertically on the exterior post facing the open space (this model is rated for outdoor use) with a direct PoE connection to the main router/switch. Inside, I’d mount a U6-Lite on the ceiling. You might manage with the U6-Mesh alone as well.
I'm operating a computer with PFense in a virtual machine, handling routing tasks. I didn't intend to go live until I realized the setup. It's been running continuously since then. I need floor plans and room measurements for PoE injectors. I don't think the hardware requires any managed switches.
The U6 mesh differs mainly from the AP6-PRO in design and includes a POE injector, while appearing similar on paper except for its physical layout.
They differ mainly in their form factor. Both need PoE+/48V and use around 13W at maximum. The U6-Mesh works well outdoors with a vertical mount, keeping the signal direction consistent. It’s ideal for open-air installations. The U6-Pro also handles outdoor conditions, but mounting it horizontally requires placement under eaves; if you go vertical, the signal path shifts by 90°.