In an embodiment, a base station determines a spatial relationship for a group of PUCCH resources, and transmits a control message that indicates the spatial relationship to a UE. The UE receives the control message and stores an indication of the spatial relationship. In some designs, the control message conveying the spatial relationship identifies the group of PUCCH resources via the PUCCH group index, while in other designs a different identification mechanism may be used. In another embodiment, a base station determines an association between a group of PUCCH resources and a PUCCH group index, and transmits a control message that indicates the association to a UE. The UE receives the control message and stores an indication of the association.