A microwave link from ports 1 through 4 on a Packet Microwave Adapter card to an MPR-e radio that is configured in standalone mode provides a basic microwave connection to the MPR-e radio. In standalone mode, each MPR-e radio that is connected to a 7705 SAR-8 Shelf V2 or 7705 SAR-18 is managed as a separate standalone NE by the MPT Craft Terminal (MCT) Element Manager.