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Must be the damp basements I guess. I firmly believe that duration of dormancy plays a huge factor in the chances of something coming back to life and actually doing what it was meant to do. Test equipment is no different than any other electronic device.
I elaborate on duration as I have had 50s TV sets that are completely unrestored and work perfectly and a ton of radios that are the same. I can't speak for the history of many units as they are older than me. However, some I got at a young age (about 30 years ago) and they were still being used at least periodically. In those years I have always made sure that everything I have that will work is powered up at least once a year. I could go on and on about the robust nature of some of the vintage electronics, but I will spare everyone.
We all know that the BIG mistake often made is finding something and plugging it in. At least I hope so, but it does still happen. I recently acquired a 40s Hickok that by all evidence (being paperwork and such) hasn't been used since the early 60s. Brought it up on my Variac and it works great. No restoration, calibration or any of the other things we hope we find no need for. Luck of the draw perhaps???
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"Face piles of trials with smiles, for it riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave, and keep on thinking free"
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