[Elecraft] KX3 & Chasing local HF noise sources

[Niel Skousen]

Good Evening All,   

Questions and Advice sought,  i will report back on results...
(cross posted to qrp-l, elecraft, and kx3)

I live in a rural area, which should be very low noise.   i put up a OCFD (88:44) this afternoon, and tonite wandered on to 80m to listen and check the antenna.   I had 20db over noise everywhere.   40m was showing S4 noise, and I could only copy about 4 or 5 stations above the noise on 40m (yep, NR and NB both on, 400hz wide).

nearest neighbor is 1/4mi away, and I'm the last one on a rural overhead power line.

So,  Given a KX3 and internal batteries, my first thought is to build a small multi-turn electrostatically shielded loop (1ft dia, 3-5 turn in a copper pipe, 1" gap at top) and see if I can localize any local noise sources.

my office and computers are prime targets of course...    

Is this overkill ?  
Recommendations for a better small / near-field noise pickup ?
Any other advice for first steps ?
Anyone else chased noise sources with their KX3 ?   How did it work, what antenna did you use ?
Other suggestions / recommendations ?

TIA, 73
Niel
WA7SSA