Strontium hexaferrite thin films were deposited on alumina by chemical bath deposition technique. The thin films formed with different synthesis pH were annealed by microwave heating. The effect of variation of pH of the solution during synthesis on the structural, morphological and microwave properties was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, waveguide reflectometer and slotted section technique. The strontium hexaferrite thin films synthesized at pH 10 show highly dense surface morphology and hence, high microwave transmittance of similar to 65% in the 8-12 GHz frequencies. With further increase in transmittance by tailoring the permittivity and permeability, these strontium hexaferrite thin films can be used as microwave transmitting material. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.