Noise source vs tracking generator for frequency response measurement

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Archimedes

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So I want to buy a spectrum analyzer and I'm going to measure frequency responses up to 150 MHz with it. However, there's an odd situation: analyzer with a tracking generator costs $2500 and the analyzer without one costs $500 and I'm trying to figure out what would be a better option, buying an analyzer with a tracking gen or building a noise source with a zener and a few MMIC amplifiers. Are there any additional challenges and pitfalls with measuring frequency responses using a noise source?
 
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Dynamic range respectively accuracy will be considerably lower. Can be partly compensated by extended measurement time. May be o.k. for some applications.
 
Will it be sufficient for narrow band filter/amplifier tuning?
 

A VNA USB box is probably the better solution, you get 1 MHz to 3 GHz VNA < 500$. Or a used benchtop VNA.
 
Oh, how could I forget about those. Thanks a lot!
 

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