The "Best situation" is to reference off the Node then RE-reference off the 1st AMP out for the proper "Unity Gain". Some MSO Chief Tech's "Include the Node as the FIRST AMP out" but that is really not proper. The FIRST AMP out is the 1st AMP after the Node. Now if you can get Unity Gain and meet your spec's counting the Node as your 1st AMP out.......more power too you! I do it all the time that is just my own personal challenge too myself. I get BOTH references and include them in my books and I reference off both just to test myself and the system.