Numerical and analytical methods are used to examine properties of the phase of backscattered fields from perfectly conducting thin rods as functions of both aspect angle and frequency. Emphasis is placed on special conditions under which the phase is simply related to the body length and thickness. Calculated results are shown to be in good agreement with measured ones. Implications of the phase properties for dual frequency phase signatures are discussed and examples given. The amplitude of the backscattered field is shown to have a frequency-dependent shape that is essentially independent of aspect angle through the first resonant maximum. Measurement procedures that might be used to separately determine rod thicknesses and lengths are suggested. (Author).