[Amps] Spectrum Analyzers

[chas]

what do people use for an add on spectrum analyzer if their 
vintage/cheap radio did not come with one?  is there a way to convert 
a monitor scope to such a purpose?  or must we hook up our laptops and 
run software which will do the job?  or maybe buy a $500+ SDR-IQ to 
generate a signal for our laptops.

for that matter, if we can run HRD or other, why do we even need a 
'scope to watch our signal output when that should be a capability of 
the software?  sadly, I do not see that HRD has a spectrum screen.

so, what is the answer?  those of you who have use of a SpectScrn... 
how did you do it??

thanks
chas
k5dam