Hacker Con Badges

DCZia

DCZia MK9 Badge at DEF CON 34

The independent 2026 DCZia MK9 BadgeLife release for DEF CON 34. Its public source repository calls it a neck-wearable mechanical macropad badge for DEF CON and preserves the KiCad and CircuitPython material; a public August 2 announcement describes Friday and Saturday BadgeLife pickup. The event remains pre-event at this catalogue update and is not an official DEF CON admission-badge programme.

Las Vegas Convention Center and DEF CON BadgeLife pickup context, Las Vegas, Nevada · United States · 2026

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34)

DCZia's MK9 is a public-source 3×3 mechanical macropad intended as a neck-wearable DEF CON 34 BadgeLife project. Project documentation specifies nine MX switches, RGB per-key and edge lighting, an accelerometer, two 6-pin SAO connectors, USB-C or three-AAA power, CircuitPython firmware, and QMK-compatible hardware. A public August 2 announcement says the project plans BadgeLife pickup, but this remains a pre-event independent badge rather than an official DEF CON admission credential.

Lifecycle

Add-ons & Upgrades

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) publicly documented / pre-event add-on plan

badge expansion

SAO and planned add-on expansion

The board documents two standard six-pin SAO connectors with I2C and GPIO access. A public launch announcement separately says a planned add-on board can expose three more keys or an I2C display; final add-on distribution remains unconfirmed.

Compatibility: DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34)

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) publicly documented

firmware workflow

CircuitPython flashing and customization

The project documents BOOTSEL entry, a CircuitPython UF2 copied to `RPI-RP2`, library and Python-file copy steps, and source-level paths for remapping keys, patterns, colours, and states.

Compatibility: DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34)

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) publicly documented

input and host interface

Mechanical macropad and USB HID

The MK9 is a nine-switch 3×3 mechanical macropad with N-key-rollover USB HID output; the published badge mode maps it as a numpad when connected to a host.

Compatibility: DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34)

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) publicly documented

interactive lighting

RGB and accelerometer interaction

The public firmware documentation describes nine per-key WS2812B LEDs and six SK6812 edge LEDs, plus tilt-reactive colour changes, shake-to-cycle patterns, and per-key ripple effects using an MSA301-compatible accelerometer.

Compatibility: DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34)

Operational history

Issues & Camp Impact

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) note

QMK and final configuration boundary · public project documentation · partially documented

The project says the hardware is QMK-compatible but says QMK setup instructions will be posted separately. The reviewed sources also do not establish the final production configuration, exact recipient population, completed three-key/I2C add-on distribution, or a final post-event firmware image beyond the documented CircuitPython workflow.

The record distinguishes current CircuitPython documentation and documented hardware capability from an asserted shipping QMK configuration or final delivery configuration.

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) note

missing rights-cleared image · local project policy · needs licensed original replacement

No DCZia MK9 image is published because the public repository, source documentation, and launch announcement do not pair a specific badge image with source URL, reusable license or explicit permission basis, attribution, and processing notes.

The United States entry remains source-backed and image-free rather than copying repository files, Reddit media, store media, screenshots, placeholders, or generated approximations.

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) note

pre-event pickup and fulfillment boundary · public project source and announcement · awaiting DEF CON 34 outcome

The public August 2 announcement says Friday and Saturday BadgeLife pickup is planned, but DEF CON 34 has not yet occurred and public sources do not provide a completed delivery report, production count, recipient list, or confirmed distribution outcome.

The catalogue records an announced independent badge and pickup context, not a completed run, universal attendee issue, or confirmed post-event use report.

DCZia MK9 Badge (DEF CON 34) note

source license and reuse gap · public repository inspection · needs explicit license statement

DCZia publicly describes the design files and firmware as available and the repository exposes KiCad, BOM, fabrication, and CircuitPython material, but the reviewed repository root does not expose an explicit software, hardware, or image-reuse license.

The record may describe the publicly visible technical material but does not treat availability as a license to redistribute source, hardware, firmware, or images.

Resources

MK9 firmware README firmware and flashing documentation · Public CircuitPython documentation covering the RP2040 pinout, key matrix, LEDs, MSA301-compatible accelerometer, SAO buses, state-machine behavior, USB HID numpad mapping, libraries, and BOOTSEL/UF2 update workflow. DCZia MK9 Badge repository public hardware and firmware repository · Public DCZia source tree titled `dczia's defcon 34 badge for 2026`. Its README documents the 3×3 mechanical macropad, hardware/features, CircuitPython/QMK direction, KiCad/BOM/fabrication material, and update path. Public repository images are evidence only, not a reuse license. DCZia MK9 public launch announcement public pre-event announcement · Public August 2 announcement identifying the 2026 DCZia MK9, tying it to DEF CON 34, summarizing the hardware and public source trail, and announcing planned Friday/Saturday BadgeLife pickup. Its animated/post image does not establish reusable image rights.

Sources

GitHub / dczia: MK9 Badge — Firmware Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Primary public firmware source for the CircuitPython 8+ state machine, 3×3 key matrix pinout, 15 NeoPixels, MSA301-compatible accelerometer, SAO I2C/GPIO, visual behavior, USB HID numpad mapping, required libraries, and BOOTSEL/UF2 flash steps. GitHub / dczia: dczia/mk9-badge Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Primary public project source that calls the MK9 a DEF CON 34 2026 badge and documents the mechanical macropad form, nine switches, WS2812B and SK6812 LEDs, RP2040, accelerometer, SAO connectors, USB-C/AAA power, CircuitPython, QMK-compatible hardware, KiCad design files, BOM, fabrication outputs, and update path. The reviewed repository root does not expose an explicit license. Reddit / r/Defcon public post: DCZia Mk9 Badge Retrieved 2026-05-15 · Public August 2 pre-event announcement tying the 2026 MK9 to DEF CON 34 and planned BadgeLife pickup. It corroborates the launch context and a planned add-on, but is not used as final fulfillment proof or as an image-reuse license.