I'm younger than you but I wish I'd been in northern CA for "The Bill and Dave Show" years.
I've read a number of books about HP through "The Era" and am filled with admiration; all the moreso when I turn on a 45-50yo network analyzer and it not only lights up, it meets spec!
Being in audio and one who does a lot of measurement of microvolt noise floors, the HP 400F AC voltmeter is a piece I like a lot.
I have several and have been thru them, done all the geriatric part replacements, done some mods, changed out the ridiculous dual banana inputs for BNCs and am about to replace the input JFETs with their about 80nv/rtHz equiv input noise for some some parts from Linear Integrated that promise 2nv/rtHz and spec-wise look pretty much to be a drop in replacement, amazingly.
I'll advise when done, or beg help if I've done something dumb.
Bill @ PEARL, Inc.
As I remember and lived through (I am 77 years of age), HP was a company that innovated, invented and changed the testing industry. They treated their employees and customers with respect and were great educators, and made a great effort to educate all who were interested.
As has been stated by others, much of their current management, as Keysight, doesn't even seem to know what business they are in, and really doesn't care.
And more's the pity; all around . . .
I am glad that I was around for the "golden years".
Stuart K6YAZ
West Hills, CA
Liam Perkins