diff --git a/geomagio/ObservatoryMetadata.py b/geomagio/ObservatoryMetadata.py
index 735a232998d7deb57a7ed7a766c5c33b6e1b9528..91fcd14cb3467cf71c95101dabd479aa76ada798 100644
--- a/geomagio/ObservatoryMetadata.py
+++ b/geomagio/ObservatoryMetadata.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "40.137",
             "geodetic_longitude": "254.763",
             "elevation": "1682",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 5527,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "40.137",
             "geodetic_longitude": "254.763",
             "elevation": "1682",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 5527,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "40.137",
             "geodetic_longitude": "254.763",
             "elevation": "1682",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 10000.0,
             "declination_base": 5527,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "71.322",
             "geodetic_longitude": "203.378",
             "elevation": "10",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 10589,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "71.322",
             "geodetic_longitude": "203.378",
             "elevation": "10",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 10000.0,
             "declination_base": 10589,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "30.350",
             "geodetic_longitude": "270.365",
             "elevation": "8",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 215772,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "64.874",
             "geodetic_longitude": "212.140",
             "elevation": "197",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 12151,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "64.874",
             "geodetic_longitude": "212.140",
             "elevation": "197",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 10000.0,
             "declination_base": 12151,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "70.355",
             "geodetic_longitude": "211.207",
             "elevation": "10",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 10755,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "70.355",
             "geodetic_longitude": "211.207",
             "elevation": "10",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 10000.0,
             "declination_base": 10755,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "38.205",
             "geodetic_longitude": "282.627",
             "elevation": "69",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 209690,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "38.205",
             "geodetic_longitude": "282.627",
             "elevation": "69",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 209690,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "37.091",
             "geodetic_longitude": "240.282",
             "elevation": "331",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 8097,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "13.588",
             "geodetic_longitude": "144.867",
             "elevation": "140",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 764,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "13.588",
             "geodetic_longitude": "144.867",
             "elevation": "140",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 764,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "21.316",
             "geodetic_longitude": "202.000",
             "elevation": "4",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 5982,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "21.316",
             "geodetic_longitude": "202.000",
             "elevation": "4",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 5982,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -361,8 +361,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "36.232",
             "geodetic_longitude": "140.186",
             "elevation": "36",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
-            "reported": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 0.01,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -381,7 +380,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "48.265",
             "geodetic_longitude": "242.878",
             "elevation": "770",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 9547,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -400,7 +399,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "55.348",
             "geodetic_longitude": "199.538",
             "elevation": "80",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 7386,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -419,7 +418,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "57.058",
             "geodetic_longitude": "224.675",
             "elevation": "24",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 12349,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -438,7 +437,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "18.113",
             "geodetic_longitude": "293.849",
             "elevation": "424",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 208439,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -457,7 +456,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "18.113",
             "geodetic_longitude": "293.849",
             "elevation": "424",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 208439,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -476,7 +475,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "32.174",
             "geodetic_longitude": "249.267",
             "elevation": "946",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": 5863,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -495,7 +494,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "40.137",
             "geodetic_longitude": "254.764",
             "elevation": "1682",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -514,8 +513,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "64.300",
             "geodetic_longitude": "264.000",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -534,8 +532,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "49.600",
             "geodetic_longitude": "262.900",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -554,8 +551,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "69.200",
             "geodetic_longitude": "255.000",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -574,8 +570,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "55.300",
             "geodetic_longitude": "282.300",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -594,8 +589,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "58.800",
             "geodetic_longitude": "265.900",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -614,8 +608,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "51.000",
             "geodetic_longitude": "355.500",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
-            "reported": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -634,8 +627,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "-34.400",
             "geodetic_longitude": "19.200",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
-            "reported": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -654,8 +646,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "63.800",
             "geodetic_longitude": "291.500",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -674,8 +665,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "54.600",
             "geodetic_longitude": "246.700",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -694,8 +684,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "45.400",
             "geodetic_longitude": "284.500",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -714,8 +703,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "74.700",
             "geodetic_longitude": "265.100",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -734,8 +722,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "62.400",
             "geodetic_longitude": "245.500",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -754,8 +741,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "47.600",
             "geodetic_longitude": "307.300",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -774,8 +760,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "48.600",
             "geodetic_longitude": "236.600",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
@@ -794,8 +779,7 @@ DEFAULT_METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "62.400",
             "geodetic_longitude": "245.500",
             "elevation": "0",
-            "sensor_orientation": "XYZF",
-            "reported": "XYZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "XYZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": 100.0,
             "declination_base": None,
             "is_gin": False,
diff --git a/geomagio/api/ws/Observatory.py b/geomagio/api/ws/Observatory.py
index 28f148650e7bd4e0db21680ed04013c5244a4cce..158e1b4d9dc0de7ab76852fdd2ecfae12a1ac578 100644
--- a/geomagio/api/ws/Observatory.py
+++ b/geomagio/api/ws/Observatory.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class Observatory(BaseModel):
             if agency == "GSC":
                 sensor_orientation = "XYZF"
             else:
-                sensor_orientation = "HDZF"
+                sensor_orientation = "HDZ"
         return sensor_orientation
 
     def geojson(self) -> Dict:
diff --git a/test/ObservatoryMetadata_test.py b/test/ObservatoryMetadata_test.py
index ca3d5ada427824296aef9b8547a27b8c828a5448..795a0128e7129645455b5da3064a0b586347e4de 100644
--- a/test/ObservatoryMetadata_test.py
+++ b/test/ObservatoryMetadata_test.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ METADATA = {
             "geodetic_latitude": "-90",
             "geodetic_longitude": "-180",
             "elevation": "-1000",
-            "sensor_orientation": "HDZF",
+            "sensor_orientation": "HDZ",
             "sensor_sampling_rate": "0.01 second",
             "declination_base": 20000,
             "is_gin": False,
diff --git a/test/api_test/ws_test/observatories_test.py b/test/api_test/ws_test/observatories_test.py
index 807d7d0e346128b49cc3676a8329457afb6b253e..dbe95cda17342936a88b3c6080f6c156907dd2b3 100644
--- a/test/api_test/ws_test/observatories_test.py
+++ b/test/api_test/ws_test/observatories_test.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def test_get_observatory_by_id():
     assert body["properties"]["name"] == "Sitka"
     assert body["properties"]["agency"] == "USGS"
     assert body["properties"]["agency_name"] == "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
-    assert body["properties"]["sensor_orientation"] == "HDZF"
+    assert body["properties"]["sensor_orientation"] == "HDZ"
     assert body["properties"]["sensor_sampling_rate"] == 100.0
     assert body["properties"]["declination_base"] == 12349
     assert body["geometry"]["type"] == "Point"
diff --git a/test/api_test/ws_test/variometers_test.py b/test/api_test/ws_test/variometers_test.py
index 41b2544650732420d93e6608fae0e1686fcbdfb3..c8b90cd90796e8cbd834a83fa3c7d4526e464b49 100644
--- a/test/api_test/ws_test/variometers_test.py
+++ b/test/api_test/ws_test/variometers_test.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def test_get_variometer_by_id():
     assert body["properties"]["name"] == "Disney Wilderness Preserve, Florida, USA"
     assert body["properties"]["agency"] == "USGS"
     assert body["properties"]["agency_name"] == "United States Geological Survey (USGS)"
-    assert body["properties"]["sensor_orientation"] == "HDZF"
+    assert body["properties"]["sensor_orientation"] == "HDZ"
     assert body["properties"]["sensor_sampling_rate"] == None
     assert body["properties"]["declination_base"] == None
     assert body["geometry"]["type"] == "Point"
diff --git a/test/iaga2002_test/IAGA2002Parser_test.py b/test/iaga2002_test/IAGA2002Parser_test.py
index 8cfde259f8eca7ba9997d58eeb80d0f744e5be78..04ccc9c3a5818059dd72f2e218eea0d5284a75b3 100644
--- a/test/iaga2002_test/IAGA2002Parser_test.py
+++ b/test/iaga2002_test/IAGA2002Parser_test.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ IAGA2002_EXAMPLE = """ Format                 IAGA-2002
  Geodetic Longitude     254.764                                      |
  Elevation              1682                                         |
  Reported               HDZF                                         |
- Sensor Orientation     HDZF                                         |
+ Sensor Orientation     HDZ                                          |
  Digital Sampling       0.01 second                                  |
  Data Interval Type     filtered 1-minute (00:15-01:45)              |
  Data Type              variation                                    |
diff --git a/test/imfjson_test/IMFJSONWriter_test.py b/test/imfjson_test/IMFJSONWriter_test.py
index ff8b19d6d91bb7f341fc93ef7674317214d827ec..7792ded4542886badb21f24529776e48ebd412a7 100644
--- a/test/imfjson_test/IMFJSONWriter_test.py
+++ b/test/imfjson_test/IMFJSONWriter_test.py
@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@ def test_metadata():
     assert_equal(metadata["status"], 200)
     # Test intermagnet parameters
     intermag = metadata["intermagnet"]
-    assert_equal(intermag["reported_orientation"], "HDZF")
-    assert_equal(intermag["sensor_orientation"], "HDZF")
+    assert_equal(intermag["reported_orientation"], "".join(EXAMPLE_CHANNELS))
+    assert intermag[
+        "sensor_orientation"
+    ]  # writer does not validate Iaga2002 data, so assert for existence of values instead.
     assert_equal(intermag["data_type"], "variation")
     assert_equal(intermag["sampling_period"], 60)
     assert_equal(intermag["digital_sampling_rate"], 0.01)