Issue dossier

The badge was publicly flagged as a fire hazard when used with unprotected 18650 cells because short circuits around battery traces and holders could cause dangerous heating.

A linkable camp-impact record with badge context, severity, evidence confidence, and source notes.

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WHY2025 Badge critical

safety · primary and secondary sources · mitigated/disputed

The warning shaped distribution, battery handling, user confidence, and the badge's public reputation.

Badge
WHY2025 Badge
Category
safety
Severity
critical
Confidence
primary and secondary sources
Status
mitigated/disputed
Timeframe
during event
Source note
WHY2025 fire-hazard wiki, Hackaday, Tweakers.

Evidence

Related Resources

radio advisory

WHY2025 LoRa antenna

Dedicated antenna page for LoRa/FSK transmitter damage risk, SWR/VNA measurements, tuning notes, and antenna caveats.

Badge: WHY2025 Badge

Source trail

Evidence Sources

WHY2025 wiki · retrieved 2026-05-15

Badge

Primary badge warnings, LoRa details, repair notes, and app install information.

Badge: WHY2025 Badge

WHY2025 wiki · retrieved 2026-05-15

Badge/LoRa-Antenna

Primary LoRa antenna advisory covering irreversible transmitter damage risk without a proper antenna, SWR thresholds, VNA measurement, and tuning notes.

Badge: WHY2025 Badge

WHY2025 wiki · retrieved 2026-05-15

Feedback

Public attendee feedback on late distribution, queues, limited hacking, and documentation.

Badge: WHY2025 Badge

WHY2025 wiki · retrieved 2026-05-15

Team:Badge

Primary public team page for Team:Badge member names and development-group structure.

Badge: WHY2025 Badge