MikroTik GrooveA 52 2.4/5GHz Outdoor AP CPE with Omni Antenna

The MikroTik GrooveA 52 is the dual-band AP variant of MikroTik's compact Groove outdoor series — a fully self-contained wireless RouterBOARD in a cylindrical weatherproof housing. Despite its small size, it delivers a comprehensive RouterOS feature set and dual-band wireless capability, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of outdoor deployment scenarios.

Dual-Band Wireless Performance

The GrooveA 52 uses the AR9342 wireless chip to support 802.11b/g/n on 2.4GHz and 802.11a/n on 5GHz (Wi-Fi 4), with a single-chain radio and a maximum wireless data rate of 150 Mbit/s. On 2.4GHz, receive sensitivity ranges from -97 dBm at 1 Mbit/s through to -70 dBm at MCS7. On 5GHz, sensitivity spans -93 dBm at 6 Mbit/s to -70 dBm at MCS7, supporting reliable links across a range of distances and signal conditions.

The unit ships with a 6 dBi dual-band omnidirectional antenna and includes an N-male RF connector, allowing an external antenna to be connected in its place when directional coverage or higher gain is required. This makes the GrooveA 52 adaptable to a broad variety of link types and site conditions.

The international version (RBGrooveA-52HPn) supports 2412–2484 MHz and 5150–5875 MHz, while the US variant (RBGrooveA-52HPn-US) is factory-locked to 2412–2462 MHz, 5170–5250 MHz, and 5725–5835 MHz.

Processing & Storage

The GrooveA 52 is powered by an AR9342 processor at 600 MHz on the MIPSBE architecture, with 64 MB of RAM and 16 MB of FLASH storage. RouterOS is pre-installed and licensed — no separate software purchase is required. RouterOS provides a full networking feature set including routing, bridging, firewall, QoS, VPN, and wireless management, accessible via WinBox, WebFig, or CLI.

Ethernet & Powering

The unit features a single 10/100 Fast Ethernet port, which also serves as the passive PoE input accepting 9–30 V. Maximum power consumption is 6 W, making it efficient for remote installations or sites with limited power availability. The unit is passively cooled with no moving parts, ensuring silent and maintenance-free operation outdoors.

Monitoring & Diagnostics

On-board diagnostics include a PCB temperature monitor, voltage monitor, and a beeper, supporting health monitoring and alignment assistance during installation.

Build & Installation

The GrooveA 52 measures 177 × 44 × 44 mm and weighs 193 g, making it one of the lightest and most compact outdoor wireless units in the MikroTik range. It is tested across an ambient temperature range of -40°C to 70°C. MTBF is approximately 100,000 hours at 25°C. The package includes the 6 dBi/8 dBi dual-band omni antenna, a PoE injector, a 24V 0.38A power adapter, and a metal mounting ring for straightforward pole or mast installation.

Use Cases

The GrooveA 52 is well suited for outdoor access point deployments, CPE installations at customer premises, point-to-point wireless backbone links, and budget-conscious outdoor deployments where dual-band flexibility and RouterOS management are needed in a compact, lightweight unit.

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Product Code: RBGrooveA-52HPn
• Wireless Standards: 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) / 802.11a/n (5GHz) — Wi-Fi 4
• Max Wireless Data Rate: 150 Mbit/s
• Antenna: Included 6 dBi dual-band omni; N-male connector for external antenna
• Frequency Range: 2412–2484 MHz & 5150–5875 MHz (International); 2412–2462 MHz, 5170–5250 MHz & 5725–5835 MHz (US)
• Ethernet Ports: 1x 10/100 Fast Ethernet (PoE-In)
• PoE Input: Passive PoE, 9–30 V
• CPU: AR9342, 600 MHz, MIPSBE architecture
• RAM: 64 MB
• Storage: 16 MB FLASH
• Operating System: RouterOS (pre-installed and licensed)
• Max Power Consumption: 6 W
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Dimensions: 177 × 44 × 44 mm / 193 g
• Cooling: Passive
• MTBF: ~100,000 hours at 25°C
• Certifications: CE, FCC, IC, EAC, RoHS
• Included: 6 dBi/8 dBi dual-band omni antenna, PoE injector, 24V 0.38A power adapter, metal ring