Where should the final test point be located in a headend?

The final test point in a headend should be located after all downstream carriers have been combined. This placement is crucial because it allows for the measurement of the overall composite signal quality before distribution. By testing at this stage, you can ensure that the combined output reflects the performance and integrity of all channels being sent downstream. This type of measurement provides valuable insights into the quality of service that subscribers will receive and helps identify any potential issues with the signal after all processing has taken place.

Testing at this point also allows for the evaluation of how the combined carriers interact with each other, which is important for identifying problems such as intermodulation distortion or other degradation in signal quality that may not be evident if testing is done at earlier stages in the signal path.