Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may inform a base station of multiple transmission-antenna switching capabilities supported by the UE. The supported transmission-antenna switching capabilities may include a first transmission-antenna switching capability and a second transmission-antenna switching capability. The UE may receive a message that triggers the UE to switch from using a first configuration associated with the first transmission-antenna switching capability to using a second configuration associated with the second transmission-antenna switching capability. The UE may perform a sounding procedure using the second configuration associated with the second transmission-antenna switching capability based on receiving the message.