Techniques are described for wireless communication. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) includes receiving an indication of at least one receive capability of a network access device; transmitting a first message of a random access channel (RACH) procedure; receiving a random access response (RAR) message in response to transmitting the first message; and interpreting the RAR message according to a format based at least in part on the received indication. A method for wireless communication at a network access device includes transmitting an indication of at least one receive capability of the network access device; receiving, from a UE, a first message of a RACH procedure; and transmitting a RAR message to the UE in response to receiving the first message. The RAR message has a format based at least in part on the at least one receive capability of the network access device.