Thanks to everyone that replied! I already have a digital multimeter, function generator, frequency counter and variable dc power supplies. I am curious if a audio generator or signal tracer would be of use?
A lot of people have dived into esoterica, way beyond what you would use.
bd139 has a more practical view, but has described an Oscilloscope as a "jack of all trades" instrument.
With respect, that is its strength.
A cheap, second or third, or
nth hand analog 'scope can do the job of :-
(a)A Signal tracer.
(b)A large scale ac voltmeter.
(c)A large scale centre zero DC voltmeter.
In (a), if the radio is showing signs of life, but no audio output.you can look for the presence of the local oscillator, & if that is present, see if there is any IF output from the mixer, then check through the IF stages to the detector.
If there is detected audio, you can then look at the audio output amp.
In (b), if you are aligning the radio the "simple" way by just looking at the increase in audio output, you can observe the audio waveform.
If the level increases, you are "peaking" the IF or whatever, just like an analog ac voltmeter.
In (c), if you need to look at DC operating voltages, it is often easiest to "free-run" your scope ("auto trigger"), then watch the deflection of the trace in the positive or negative direction.
Of course, you have to use your brain, as it doesn't "spoon feed" you like a DMM.
If, instead of just looking at the audio output when aligning a Rx, you are monitoring the AGC line, you can again use the 'scope in this mode.
"Short wave " radios suggests a maximum frequency requirement of around 30MHz for conventional superhets, but for Wadley Loop & synthesised radios, you may be better with a 100MHz instrument.
If you are lucky enough to pick up one of those two or more channel analog 'scopes which provide an output of one vertical channel, you can use the 'scope as a "buffer" or a preamplifier, allowing the use of a frequency counter, in places where the counter's low input impedance or lack of sensitivity may be problematical, if used alone.
Another trick that can be used with most such 'scopes, is to use two vertical channels "in cascade" to obtain extra sensitivity.
This is not usually a very accurate method, but sometimes, either the presence , or shape of a signal is more important than its absolute amplitude.
DSOs can do most of these things, obviously excepting the last two, but usually have a reasonably good frequency counter built in.