Ethos GPS Map Generator — Sync Pro

Now fully compatible with GPS AccuMap Lua Widget — real-time GPS map for Ethos radios!

The Ethos GPS Map Generator is a high-precision, web-based tool designed to create offline maps for Ethos GPS widgets — including the GPS AccuMap Lua Widget and the built-in Ethos GPS Map widget. It ensures your 16-bit BMP images and coordinate metadata are perfectly synced for real-time flying and telemetry. AI was used in the process of creation.

Important

Sync Pro Status: This tool uses the File System Access API. For the best experience, use Chrome or Edge to enable direct syncing to your Radio's SD card.

⚠️ You can use the tool online without downloading by visiting: https://martinovem.github.io/Ethos-GPS-Map-Generator/

---

Features

• Versatile Map Types:
  • Google Hybrid: Combines high-resolution satellite imagery with road and landmark labels for better orientation.
  • Satellite Only: Pure aerial photography for a clean look at the runway and flight line.
  • Terrain: Highlights physical features and elevation, useful for slope soaring and mountain flying sites.
• Synchronized File Naming: The tool automatically ensures that the metadata file and the image file share the exact same prefix. This is critical for both GPS AccuMap and the built-in Ethos GPS Map widget to recognize and pair the data with the correct image.
• Offline Field Mobility: By saving the metadata directly onto the radio, you can switch between different maps and instantly view the coordinates and boundaries of the new map — especially useful for GPS AccuMap, which reads them automatically.
• Streamlined Export:
  • ⚡ Sync To SD: One-click sync of the 16-bit BMP, JSON coordinates, and metadata directly to your radio's SD card folders. If no SD card is linked, it automatically prompts you to connect one.
  • 📦 Download ZIP: Downloads all three files (BMP, JSON, metadata) bundled in a ZIP for manual placement on the radio.
• Precision Telemetry Engine: Automatically generates coordinate metadata with high-accuracy decimal and DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) boundaries. GPS AccuMap reads these automatically; the built-in Ethos GPS Map widget requires manual entry.
• Adaptive Resolution System:
  • Presets: Quick-toggle options for standard full-screen radio resolutions (800x480 for most of X20/X18 series, and 480x320 for some of X18).
  • Custom Engine: Support for specific widget dimensions with a built-in helper link to the Ethos Widget Size Check Lua for users unsure of their layout pixels.
• Sync Pro UI: A professional dark-mode interface optimized for field use, featuring a live precision crosshair, high-visibility telemetry HUD, and a scale bar.
• Hardware Integration: Native support for the Web FileSystem API via the "Link SD Card" button, allowing you to sync files directly to your radio's folders without manual drag-and-drop.
• HUD Tools:
  • Measurement Tool: Click 📏 Measure button to measure distances (meters/feet) directly on the map.
  • Zoom Lock: Secure your view to prevent accidental scaling while preparing for export.

---

How to Use

1. To use this tool from the repository:

1. Download: Click the green Code button at the top of this page and select Download ZIP.
2. Extract: Unzip the files to a folder on your computer.
3. Run: Simply double-click the index.html file to open the generator in your web browser.
   • Note: A Chromium-based browser (Chrome or Edge) is required for the "Link SD Card" feature to function.

Or use it online: https://martinovem.github.io/Ethos-GPS-Map-Generator/

2. Locate Your Flying Site

• Search: Use the search box in the top-left of the map to find your location by name or coordinates.
• Map Type: Switch between Google Hybrid, Satellite, or Terrain views to best suit your visibility needs.
• Navigation: Use the mouse wheel to set your altitude (zoom). The tool initializes at Zoom 12 for a broad overview.

3. Configure Resolution

• Select your radio model from the Resolution dropdown. The presets in the list are for Fullscreen widget layout.
• If using a different (or custom) layout, select Custom and enter your specific pixel width and height for the widget size you will be using. Also, you can use the provided Ethos Widget Size Check Lua if you need to verify your screen space.
• GPS AccuMap supports any widget size and always renders the map at its native pixel resolution — no stretching or cropping distortion.

4. Precision Alignment

• Center the crosshair over the middle of your flying area.
• Once positioned, check the Zoom Lock box to freeze the scale.
• (Optional) Use the 📏 Measure tool to verify the flight area boundaries.

5. Direct Sync & Export to your Radio (SD Card)

When you export a map, the generator produces the following files:

File	Location on SD Card	For Widget	Purpose
ProjectName.bmp	/bitmaps/GPS/	Both	The map image (16-bit BMP for Ethos radios)
ProjectName.json	/documents/user/	GPS AccuMap	Map boundaries — loaded automatically by GPS AccuMap
ProjectName_zZOOM_metadata.txt	/documents/user/	Ethos GPS Map	Coordinates for the built-in widget — must be entered manually

For GPS AccuMap:

• Just select your map in the widget — coordinates are loaded automatically from the JSON file. No manual entry needed!

For Ethos GPS Map widget:

• You must open the _metadata.txt file (e.g., MyField_z15_metadata.txt) and manually enter the North, South, East, and West coordinates into the widget settings.

• Link SD Card: Connect your radio via USB (Storage Mode). Click 🔗 Link SD Card and select the root of your radio's SD drive.
• Sync To SD: Click the ⚡ Sync To SD button. This will generate and save the 16-bit BMP, JSON coordinates, and metadata in one click.
  • If linked, files are sent to /bitmaps/GPS and /documents/user — no manual file management needed.
  • If not linked, the tool automatically prompts you to select the SD card first.
• Download ZIP: Click the 📦 Download ZIP button to download all three files in a single ZIP archive. Manually place the BMP in RADIO:/bitmaps/GPS/ and the JSON + metadata in RADIO:/documents/user/.

Radio/SD card linking:

---

The Metadata Files

For GPS AccuMap:

• The .json file is all you need. The widget reads map boundaries and coordinates automatically — no manual entry, no risk of errors. Just select your map and fly.

For Ethos GPS Map widget:

• Purpose: The _metadata.txt file (named ProjectName_zZOOM_metadata.txt, e.g., MyField_z15_metadata.txt) is your "Cheat Sheet" for the radio settings.
• Use on PC: Open this file on your PC and keep it visible while you are on your Radio's GPS Map Widget Settings page. Manually enter the DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) values into the corresponding North, South, East, and West fields in the widget.

Setting coordinates in the built-in GPS Map Widget:

OR

• Use on the radio: Look at the metadata file in RADIO:/documents/user and manually enter the coordinates in the corresponding fields in the widget settings.

---

Final Verification Checklist

• Sync: Ensure the .bmp is in /bitmaps/GPS/ and the .json (for GPS AccuMap) or _metadata.txt file (for the built-in widget) is in /documents/user/.
• Widget:
  • For GPS AccuMap: Just select your map — coordinates are loaded automatically.
  • For Ethos GPS Map: Manually enter the N, S, E and W coordinates from the _metadata.txt file as shown in the picture above.
• Accuracy: If your "Home" icon doesn't match your physical location, double-check that you didn't swap the North/South or East/West values when typing them into the radio (manual entry only needed for the built-in widget).

Example of accuracy:

---

⚠️ Important: Understanding the File Formats

When you export your files:

The Map Image (.bmp)

• On the Radio: The 16-bit BMP will look perfect, crisp, and colorful on your Ethos screen (for both widgets).
• On Desktop/PC: The 16-bit BMP now uses a spec-compliant BI_BITFIELDS header with proper RGB565 color masks, so it displays correctly on both the radio and desktop viewers.

Metadata Files:

• .json — Used by GPS AccuMap for automatic coordinate loading.
• ProjectName_zZOOM_metadata.txt — Used by the built-in Ethos GPS Map widget — coordinates must be entered manually. The filename includes the project name and zoom level (e.g., MyField_z15_metadata.txt).

---

⚠️ Important II: Full Screen vs. Top/Bottom bar screen size

Do not confuse Full Screen widget with the one that has top/bottom bars, despite in New Screen menu they look the same. Only the one labeled Full Screen has true full screen widget size. GPS AccuMap supports any widget size regardless.

---