Using a SDR as a spectrum analyzer?

[WRKI973]

I was thinking of the poss of using a SDR as a spectrum analyzer to test some of my radios. Is this a reliable way to visualize the performance of a radio, or are the cheap electronics just not suitable for the job?
The SDR dongle in question is the RTL-SDR V3.
Paired with SDR# and CUBICSDR. software on the computer.

 

[dickie757]

Take a look at this:

SATSAGEN Spectrum Analyzer Software Updated: Now Supports RTL-SDR

Back in March last year we first posted about the release of SATSAGEN, and program by Alberto (IU1KVL) that allowed the PlutoSDR to work as a spectrum analyzer. SATSAGEN has recently been updated to version 0.5, and it now supports the RTL-SDR, HackRF and Simple Spectrum Analyzer hardware as...

www.rtl-sdr.com

I pulled that from a different post, can't remember where. That page is outdated, so I went looking and found this:

AlbFer – Nothing is impossible

www.albfer.com

I cannot attest to the usage

Edit

This is the thread where I found it:

MMDVM With more power say 5 Watts

Hey guys I was wanting to see if anyone has played with one to put out more then it’s .5 Watts. I would really like to have one put out 5 Watts so I can set it up a hilltop and get better range? Thanks

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Ubbe]

Generally speaking a test equipment needs to have higher specs than the device your measuring, or you will only see the anomalies of the test equipment.

If you are trying to see how "clean" a transmitter signal are it will not work as the dynamic range are not enough in a SDR dongle.

/Ubbe