I use whatever I can get my hands on at flea markets, eBay, etc. I scope them for excess noise and try them on receive. I rarely get one that's too noisy. I'm actually more concerned about noise voltage peaks damaging something. You can always add external filtering. Whatever inductor you can make or buy and tantalum + ceramic caps. You can often just get away with a sub optimal filter that works well enough and call it a day. Additionally, one can get a higher voltage output PS and post regulate with a three terminal regulator IC. That alone gets rid of a lot of noise. Lastly, there's nothing like a battery for the ultimate in low noise. Just keep it charged at home. SLA, lithium, Nimh, whatever you want or already have. We're talking small money and still getting where you want to be.
? ? I'm the guy who just last week made two ATO fuse holders out of empty dental floss containers. That's where I come from in economical methods and imagination. ?