Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some systems, a device may select antenna elements from a planar array to transmit or receive an orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam. The device may determine a first area (e.g., a first ring area) based on an angular direction over which the device can communicate an OAM beam with a second device and may determine a second area (e.g., a second ring area) on the planar array based on projecting the first area on the planar array. The device may select a set of antenna elements from the planar array that are located within the second area. The device may determine a complex-valued weight for each antenna element of the selected set of antenna elements and may transmit or receive an OAM beam to or from the second device via the set of antenna elements according to the angular direction.