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Field Ops & Data Updated 2026-06-20

Bolt Placefile Setup

Generate a Bolt spotter-feed URL and load it into radar software that accepts remote placefiles.

Use the Placefile Access page to generate Bolt spotter-feed URLs for radar clients and other mapping tools.

Bolt placefile basics

  • The access page outputs both .txt and .json URLs.
  • Use the public toggle on that page if you want to exclude public spotters from the generated URL.
  • Select organization access keys on that page if you want to include organization-scoped visibility.
  • Add &labels=1 when you want the text placefile to render callsigns beside the icons in GR products.
  • Hand the URL only to people who should see the feed. Access keys behave like passwords.

Example: https://bolt.lightni.ng/placefile/spotters.txt?public=0&ak=ABCD1234EFGH5678&labels=1

Treat access keys like credentials

Everyone who receives a key can see every device tied to it. Issue unique keys per partner organization so you can revoke access without disrupting other teams.

Software notes

GRLevel3 (Windows)

  1. Open Windows → Show Placefile Manager.
  2. Click the folder icon, paste your Bolt placefile URL, and press Load.
  3. Check the left box to display the overlay. Use the right box when you want the layer under the radar data.
  4. Right-click → Status to confirm refreshes — Bolt updates the feed every minute.

GR2Analyst (Windows)

  1. Launch the Placefile Manager from the Windows menu.
  2. Add the Bolt URL just like GRLevel3; Analyst polls at the interval declared in the file.
  3. Enable View → Show Placefiles if icons do not appear in the 2D or 3D views.

GREarth (Windows)

  1. Run GREarth v3.1.0 or newer — earlier versions cannot import placefiles.
  2. Open the Placefile Manager panel, choose Add, and paste your Bolt URL.
  3. Keep overlays lightweight; GREarth draws the full globe, so large feeds can slow rendering.

WSV3 (Windows)

  1. Go to WSV3 → Placefile Manager.
  2. Paste the Bolt URL into the Add new Placefile box and click Load.
  3. Use the Show/Hide controls to toggle the layer without removing it.
  4. Verify icons on the map; WSV3 refreshes automatically using Bolt’s interval.

Supercell WX (Windows)

  1. Open Tools → Placefile Manager.
  2. Select Add, paste your Bolt placefile URL, and save.
  3. Reorder overlays if you also display warnings or lightning so spotter icons stay on top.

WeatherWall (Windows)

  1. Choose the placefile import option from the Tools or Data menu.
  2. Enter your Bolt URL, then confirm the layer appears in the overlay list.
Other GR products

GRLevel2 (non-Analyst) and other Gibson Ridge utilities follow the exact same steps as GRLevel3: open the Placefile Manager, add the Bolt URL, and enable the checkbox.

Apps without custom placefile import

RadarOmega (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)

RadarOmega does not provide a general custom placefile URL loader for Bolt feeds.

RadarScope (macOS, iOS, Android, Windows)

RadarScope does not provide a place to paste Bolt placefile URLs.

PYKL3 (Android)

PYKL3 does not provide a general free-form URL field for Bolt placefiles.

Radar Alive Pro (Android)

Radar Alive Pro does not provide a general free-form URL field for Bolt placefiles.