DEF CON 34 · United States · 2026
Open-source pre-event 125-unit Meshtastic Simple Add-On for DEF CON 34
Darknet-NG's own current badge page identifies the Darknet-NG SMAO as its Level 3 build: a full Meshtastic node in an SAO form factor. The maker's live Uberflux product payload describes a $55 125-unit presale and currently reports 125 sold with zero remaining, no shipping options, and DEF CON 34 contest-booth pickup only; that is a time-specific availability snapshot, not proof of completed manufacture, collection, or delivery. A matching maker-owned, commit-pinned `dcbokonon/darknet-smao` release now publishes the v1.4 KiCad project, fabrication outputs, BOM/placement data, firmware build material, and RF-tuning source, alongside an MIT-licensed official upstream board render. This is a source-backed independent pre-event mesh-radio add-on record, not independent RF/compliance validation, a DEF CON organizer-issued product, conference credential, admission right, or completed fulfillment record.
People
Uberflux identifies Boko as the maker, while the public `dcbokonon/darknet-smao` README names the project as by Boko (Darknet-NG) and the MIT license names Boko (Darknet-NG). This preserves the source-named maker/release role without inferring DEF CON organizer status, independent certification, manufacture, or financial accounting.
SourceDarknet-NG publishes the current Level 3 SMAO badge page, presents the DEF CON contest context, and is named as the marketplace maker profile. This is a public project/contest credit, not a claim of DEF CON organizer status, manufacture, RF certification, or financial accounting.
SourceThe public v1.4 source release turns an unusually specific marketplace description into an auditable hardware, firmware, provisioning, and RF-documentation trail without collapsing source-published claims into independent certification or delivery evidence. The dossier keeps price, quantity, maker, and expected functionality discoverable while preserving the difference between a source-controlled manufacturing archive and a verified finished run; it also publishes the exact MIT-licensed upstream render rather than copying marketplace or social media.
The commit-pinned maker repository identifies a 41.00 by 33.00 mm, four-layer board with a rear 2x3 SAO header, a RAK4630 module containing an nRF52840 and SX1262, Johanson 915 MHz LoRa and 2.4 GHz BLE chip antennas, u.FL test points, USB-C, SWD pads, and a no-battery SAO-or-USB-C power mux. It publishes the KiCad v1.4 project, schematic/PCB files, DRC/ERC reports, Gerber archive, BOM with LCSC references, placement files, netlist, and its claimed production-run outputs. The same maker source provides NanoVNA sweep files and a tuning write-up; these remain maker-published measurements, not a certification, universal host-power guarantee, final-unit inspection, or independent RF/performance test.
The commit-pinned release includes `smao-dc34-rak4631.uf2`, an explicit 2.8.0.c800fc8 build note, a `userPrefs` delta, provisioning tooling, and build/recovery documentation. It describes an upstream Meshtastic `event/defcon34`-based image with CLIENT_MUTE and 10 dBm as the SMAO-specific settings, BLE phone-app pairing, USB-C/UF2 and SWD maintenance surfaces, and a per-unit fixed BLE PIN that the catalogue does not collect. The repository says its original hardware, documentation, and tools are MIT licensed, while the included Meshtastic firmware image is GPL-3.0-derived. This documents a reproducible-looking maker release, not a guaranteed installed version for every sale, a support commitment, a complete dependency audit, or a safe user modification procedure.
Darknet-NG's marketplace profile describes the project as a DEF CON community cybersecurity contest and skill-building network, says it has worked with Meshtastic developers on the DEF CON mesh, and states that its sales fund the contest. Its own current badge page presents the SMAO as a Level 3 build and links directly to the marketplace product. The public maker repository identifies the same product family as Darknet SMAO by Boko (Darknet-NG), in DEF CON 34 context. Those matching primary sources establish the maker/project trail and a planned contest-booth pickup flow, but not DEF CON organizer status, registration inclusion, access rights, successful handoff, or post-event operation.
Source-backed hardware metadata
Structured technical signals seeded from public badge documentation, repositories, schematics, firmware notes, or event evidence. These fields are designed for filtering, API use, repair planning, preservation, and future Companion Gear matching.
Boko (Darknet-NG)'s commit-pinned technical release identifies a Darknet SMAO for DEF CON 34 and publishes hardware, firmware, production, and RF material. This classifies a source-backed electronic add-on, not a DEF CON-issued credential, fulfilled purchase, or independently validated unit.
Signal sourceThe maker's v1.4 hardware documentation identifies the RAK4630 module as containing an nRF52840. The taxonomy records the documented MCU family without asserting final population, configuration, or unit-level verification.
Signal sourceThe maker release identifies Bluetooth LE and phone-app pairing on the nRF52840 design. It does not establish pairing policy, data handling, security review, or a configuration for every unit.
Signal sourceThe maker release identifies a Semtech SX1262 LoRa radio and US915 design context. This records the source-published radio surface, not compliance, range, allowed operation, performance, or a final-unit configuration.
Signal sourceThe commit-pinned build documentation identifies a Meshtastic `event/defcon34`-based source build and the maker's source-published configuration delta. This is not a claim that every offered or collected unit has that exact build.
Signal sourceThe maker calls the board a fit for an SAO v1.69bis 2x3 header. This records the named source interface without asserting a universal host pinout, voltage/current limit, protection, compatibility, or safe connection result.
Signal sourceThe maker's v1.4 hardware documentation identifies USB-C as an alternative power and maintenance surface. It does not establish cable compatibility, protective circuitry, safe use, or user-update outcome.
Signal sourceThe source release includes `smao-dc34-rak4631.uf2` and documents a first-SWD-then-UF2 maintenance path. This is a maker source-release signal, not a general flashing instruction, support guarantee, or proof of installed firmware on every unit.
Signal sourceRepair, preservation, and legal lab context
Parts, tools, and supplies that match this badge's documented hardware, protocols, or preservation needs. These are category-level recommendations, not compatibility guarantees.
Headers and connector supplies for SAO repair, add-on testing, and preservation.
This badge has a documented SAO connector. Matched technical signals: SAO 1.69bis.
Vendor link · selected for technical relevance
I2C adapter supplies for badge add-ons, sensors, and lab documentation.
SAO workflows often use I2C-compatible add-on testing and bench documentation. Matched technical signals: SAO 1.69bis.
Vendor link · selected for technical relevance
Extension wiring and jumper supplies for testing or displaying SAO add-ons away from the main badge.
Extension wiring is useful for testing and displaying SAO add-ons. Matched technical signals: SAO 1.69bis.
Vendor link · selected for technical relevance
Debug probes for ARM/RISC-V badge development, recovery, and documentation.
Debug probes can support authorized recovery, firmware work, and documentation for microcontroller badges. Matched technical signals: nRF52840.
Vendor link · selected for technical relevance
USB serial adapters for logs, recovery, and firmware documentation workflows.
This badge has a documented microcontroller platform where serial logs or flashing workflows may be relevant. Matched technical signals: nRF52840.
Vendor link · selected for technical relevance
Lifecycle
The source release includes a UF2, user-preferences delta, build notes, provisioning GUI/script, and hardware-independent tests. It names a Meshtastic `event/defcon34` relationship and documents its own source-published configuration boundary, but it is not treated as a post-event support commitment, exact delivered-unit inventory, or a general-purpose flashing procedure.
SourceThe reviewed maker release contains the v1.4 KiCad project, DRC/ERC reports, Gerber archive, BOM/placement/netlist production files, board documentation, populated-board media, and NanoVNA tuning material. The repository calls its production outputs the exact files from which its run was built; the catalogue preserves that as a maker statement rather than independent manufacture, quality-control, or field-performance proof.
SourceThe product page says configuration and messaging use the Meshtastic app over BLE and that each unit has its own BLE PIN printed on its bag. The catalogue does not store PINs, identify a pairing workflow, claim a privacy/security review, or describe shared mesh traffic as private.
SourceThe source tree documents USB-C, UF2, SWD pads, a rear 2x3 SAO header, and a claimed SAO v1.69bis fit. It does not establish a pinout or electrical limit for every host, a supported-host matrix, a safe user workflow, or a general compatibility guarantee.
SourceThe technical release documents a four-layer board, chip-antenna feed/match design, u.FL test points, SAO-or-USB-C power mux, no battery, and source-published tuning data. Its claimed measured and power-budget context remains maker evidence, not a blanket electrical-safety, host-compatibility, or performance guarantee.
SourceThe maker's release names an exact source-published UF2 version, `event/defcon34` relationship, CLIENT_MUTE role, 10 dBm configuration delta, and per-unit provisioning material. It does not prove that every offer or collected item used that exact image, and it is not a post-event update or support guarantee.
SourceThe maker's v1.4 source identifies an nRF52840 on a RAK4630, a Semtech SX1262 LoRa radio on US 915 MHz, and Johanson chip antennas for 915 MHz LoRa and 2.4 GHz BLE. It includes board, component, and measurement sources, but does not amount to a certification, independent RF assessment, universal host result, or final-unit inspection.
SourceThe live product payload identifies a $55, 125-total pre-sale for DEF CON 34, currently reports 125 sold and zero remaining, lists no shipping options, and directs collection to the Darknet-NG contest booth. This preserves a time-specific maker marketplace state, not evidence that the total run is manufactured, paid, assembled, collected, delivered, or supported after the event.
SourceOperational history
The catalogue treats the SMAO as an independent contest-associated add-on, not a DEF CON credential, admission artifact, organizer endorsement, or verified conference firmware distribution.
The dossier records a concrete source release without asserting source-to-sale identity for every unit, a complete dependency/security audit, a warranty, or a safe user update path.
The entry can accurately describe the released engineering material while withholding a universally safe host/power claim, compliance finding, independent performance guarantee, or repair/modification recommendation.
The catalogue now shows a source-licensed official upstream render without copying the Uberflux gallery, project-page media, social imagery, a screenshot, placeholder, or synthetic approximation.
The catalogue records both the observable availability snapshot and the maker-published production-file claim without translating either into a sold-and-delivered production report.
The catalogue does not expose individual credentials or turn maker radio/network statements into legal, privacy, security, compliance, or operational advice.