Does the Geographic Translator support the HARN/HPGN datum transformation method? What is the HARN/HPGN method?

Yes. The Geographic Translator fully supports HARN/HPGN, and uses grid files in a format published and provided by the National Geodetic Survey. HARN is an acronym for High Accuracy Reference Network, and HPGN is an acronym for High Precision Geodetic Network. These systems are designations used for statewide geodetic network upgrades. HARN is generally used to refer to either system. This upgrade is an improvement to the accuracy of NAD 83 datum, and is most frequently used with the State Plane 1983 Coordinate Group and systems. The HARN datum use GPS (Global Positioning System) observations that are the basis of grid shift files. In GeoCalc (the coordinate conversion engine within the Geographic Translator), these grid shift files are incorporated in to datum, and referenced during coordinate transformations. HARNs are being established within the U.S. on a state-by-state basis by the National Geodetic Survey. HARNs have been established for 28 states and Puerto Rico and the Virgin ...  more