If I recall, there was a book on the basic use of test equipment of the
ilk you're talking about. It may have been a TAB(TM)series book. They
went into scopes, signal generators, tracers, grid-dip meters, and the
like, at a very basic level. If no-joy with that, HP had/has a series of
technical notes that discuss what you're looking for, albeit at maybe a
bit higher level. The HP issuances contain general/generic information,
but as you'd imagine, do reference appropriate HP test sets. Also,
there are books on basic troubleshooting. I'm sure they reference the
required support equipment, too.

zeitguy wrote:
I recently bought a 1935 and a 1959 General Radio equipment catalog. I
am absolutely fascinated by the old test equipment, and want to learn
how it is used, and what it is used for. I have found inexpensive
versions of an impedence bridge and signal tracer to practice on, but
need to start somewhere. Is there a recommended text that can help a
non-engineer get up to speed on these? Something like a technicians
text book that steps through the theory and practice from a pretty
basic level, without going deep into the theory by itself?

All replies appreciated. Thanks.

(Eventually I want to have a radio and electronics hobby workshop, and
get my license.)