In this paper the variational techniques of Levine and Schwinger are used to obtain an approximate solution for the free‐space scattering by a number of finite, perfectly conducting obstacles in which the mutual interactions or coupling are taken into account. The far‐zone scattered field is found in terms of the obstacle currents. Variational principles for the total and backscattering cross sections are included. The special case of two parallel wires of finite length is worked out, and the results agree well with experiment.