Abstract: An improved and cost effective method is provided for testing the head end of a cable television system. The method includes: configuring the head end with a test signal generator; configuring the test signal generator with a phone interface mechanism; configuring a spectrum analyzer at a test point along the cable which is remotely located from the head end; initiating the testing operation from the test point by the technician without the intervention of a different technician at the head end; and capturing test data resulting from the testing operation using the spectrum analyzer.