Is there any explanation of SparkPNT/Facet/Torch/etc. product purposes/versions?

Yes, Google confirms Geoid12B for Alaska (for now).

If I had to guess, I’d say the local surveyors in Alaska will likely use the State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) for the 2D projection.

Since NGS is right in the middle of the official transition to the new National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), it’s hard to decide on which system to use for a new project.

But since NSRS isn’t finalized right now, it’s not really a choice…yet.

Now, on to the fun stuff:
Will you publish Grid or Ground Coordinates?
IE: When we locate 2 points with GNSS, the distance between that pair of coordinates is not the same as when measured with a total station, tape measure, etc. To transition from Grid-to-Ground requires knowing the Scale Factor for that location.
Since you won’t be staking-out anchor bolts for a rocket launch pad, Grid Coordinates (SPCS) should be fine, and makes your life much easier in CAD :slight_smile:

Here’s a reasonable example for setting up and documenting a Project:

  • Horizontal Datum: NAD 83 (2011) Epoch 2010.00.
  • Coordinate System: Alaska State Plane (pick your Zone).
  • Vertical Datum: NAVD 88.
  • Geoid Model: GEOID12B.
  • Units: US Survey Feet

The Quickest way to start a local base would be to find a published control point (adjusted network solution) from NGS and setup your base there. The Holy Grail would be a first order Horizontal & Vertical position.

If you cant find a nearby (network adjusted) solution, then OPUS would likely be your next choice, by post-processing using existing CORS. Establish permanent threads for your antenna and start logging. Once you have an OPUS solution that you’ve verified across multiple missions, those threads are your Base Location from now on.

Another route to consider is to find and use a surveyor’s existing local control at the site, but check it. You will want to locate/consume any local control anyway.

You could also try TopNet Live which is Topcon’s global GNSS correction service. I used TopNet for years, but obviously not in Alaska. If your location is covered by TopNet’s network, that’s an easy button for sure.

The app you use for data collection is probably the most important choice to make. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of “great” options for iOS for Civil Work.