A method for fine tuning a microstrip antenna which has eight tuning tabs for tuning the antenna frequency of the microstrip antenna. The antenna is designed to operate around 430 MHz with a tuning step size of approximately 1.5 MHz. The method utilizes the eight tuning tabs to tune the antenna from a center frequency of 427.2 MHz when all eight tuning tabs are connected to the cooper radiating or antenna element of the antenna incrementally to a center frequency of 439.3768 MHz when the eight tuning tabs are disconnected from the cooper antenna element.