Add-on dossier
A linkable lifecycle record for hardware expansions, app ecosystems, firmware upgrades, cases, radio parts, and post-event badge experiments.
The event offered an exclusive BSides SAO add-on with ticket purchase, with proceeds supporting Ballarat Hackerspace.
Badge context
dmoges writeup documenting a BSides Ballarat 2026 SAO made for the badge ecosystem, including six-pin SAO basics, pass-through connector design, WS2812B addressable RGB LED choice, KiCad schematic/design context, PCBWay production, and first-board testing.
Organization credited on the BSides Ballarat page, alongside volunteers, for developing the conference CTF tied to the Underground badge fiction.
Official event page documenting the February 28-March 1, 2026 Central Ballarat event, Underground interactive ESP32 badge, screen, controls, badge-to-badge communication, SAO support, limited BSides SAO, and CTF story.
Local hackerspace credited by the event page as the production context for Firnsy's badge work and beneficiary of limited SAO proceeds.
March 24, 2026 first-hand organizer update confirming the CTF results and reporting that the conference badge had 20 puzzles and a full source-code release; the post's LinkedIn short-link target was not independently recovered in this pass.
Source trail
Primary source for the February 28-March 1, 2026 date range, Emerging Technologies Hub venue, Underground interactive ESP32 badge, badge-to-badge communication, screen, controls, SAO support, limited BSides SAO, Firnsy/Ballarat Hackerspace credit, and Eurekative/volunteer CTF credit.
Credited maker-space reference for the local hackerspace tied to badge production and SAO support context.
March 24, 2026 first-hand post-event update reporting final CTF results, more than 10 teams, five CTF challenges, 20 conference-badge puzzles, and a stated full source-code release. Its LinkedIn short link does not expose a canonical source archive in this pass.
Credited CTF developer reference for the Underground badge story and challenge context.
First-hand maker source for a BSides Ballarat 2026 Simple Add-On built for the badge ecosystem, covering the six-pin SAO interface, WS2812B LED design, pass-through connector, KiCad and PCBWay workflow, Firnsy design review, and prototype-board completion.