Mapping with the Kit

The GK-Plus supports a GPS module. When a GPS is used, location data along with activity is logged to a file on the SD card. These files can then be imported into Google Maps with the waypoints along the track indicating the radiation level. The map below was made on a flight from OH to TX on a private jet. The video on the left shows the GK-B5 with the Logging Shield collecting the data.

Setup:

Use the use the setup menu in the GK-Plus to select the GPS module that you are using.

Also make sure that the SERIAL OUTPUT MODE menu option is set to Default.

Set the SD CARD LOG PERIOD to an appropriate logging period.

Steps to make Google Maps from SD Log Files:

1. Copy the .CSV file that you want to map from the microSD card.
2. Remove any lines with zero entries (from before a “fix”) with Notepad or similar. Leave the header.
3. If you have more than one .CSV file for the trip, you should combine them into a single file by appending them. Remove the headers from the files you append.
4. Open this page - http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=data&format=googleearth
5. Below are the settings that I use. Note entries in the yellow highlighted fields . . .

1. Click “Draw the map”. You will see your map. For some reason the opacity is set at 50% so the map is shaded. Click the map options button on the upper right and set the opacity to 100%.
2. You can go back and tweak your settings and experiment and redraw the map as much as you like.
3. When you’re happy, on the map page, click the link in this sentence:
   1. “If you want to save your Google Map to your Web site, the HTML source of the map must be modified.”
   2. OR ...
   3. "it's also temporarily available to view or download from GPSVisualizer.com"
4. Save the HTML it makes. Now when you click on this .html file your map will open.
5. Again, the opacity will be set at 50% so the map is shaded. To remove that, open the html file in Notepad or similar and find this line:
6. gv_options.map_opacity = 0.5; // number from 0 to 1
7. Change it to:
8. gv_options.map_opacity = 1.0; // number from 0 to 1
9. (I have not used the other instructions in the html file.)
10. Save the file and click on it. You may need to allow the ActiveX script in your browser. That’s your finished map!
11. You can change the map type on the upper right. Hovering over waypoint will show the time, clicking on it will show the CPM.

This is about all I know about how this works. If you have questions it’s best to experiment on your own.

If you discover something worth sharing, let me know and gladly add it to this page.