A patch antenna is composed of a segmented patch and MEMS switches which are built on a substrate. The patch segments of the segmented patch can be electrically connected to each other by the MEMS switches to form a contiguous patch and optional tuning strips and to connect or block RF between the contiguous patch and the optional tuning strips. When RF is connected between the tuning strips and the contiguous patch, the tuning strips increase the effective length of the contiguous patch and lower the antenna's resonant frequency, thereby allowing the antenna to be frequency tuned electrically over a relatively broadband of frequencies. When the tuning strips are connected to the patch in other than a symmetrical pattern, the antenna pattern of the antenna can be changed. In another aspect of the invention, the optional tuning strips are continuous structures that are formed by connecting patch segments using switches. A planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) is also provided with one or more tuning strips spaced from the lid of the PIFA and with switches to connect or block RF between the lid of the PIFA and the tuning strips.