The noise from the frequency counters enters through the tap off point. The correct way is to build an isolation amplifier with a cascade pair of common base amplifiers between the VFO and the counter.?
I shield my DL4YHF homebrew LED counters. The one in the link is a homebrew SW-40+ receiver board and VFO. The VFO has feedthru caps for power and the 10-turn pot control wiring, and the signal to the receiver and the counter are shielded coax with RCA plugs. I've since replaced the copper PCB/copper tape counter enclosure with a brass box using hardware store stock as KC0WOX did on the Bitx. I've not had any noise problems with the counters.
DuWayne, I bought 3 of your "mini" DL4YHF boards a few months ago on Osh Park for future projects. I bought some .36" displays to use with them.