Series
Omaha hacker and security conference badge lineage, represented by public source-backed electronic badge records from the 2019 K badge through the 2026 off-grid weather badge.
Omaha hacker and security conference badge lineage, represented by public source-backed electronic badge records from the 2019 K badge through the 2026 off-grid weather badge.
Badges
ATtiny85 and APA102 blinky CTF badge
Kernelcon's 2019 K-shaped badge was an electronic badge controlled by an ATtiny85, powered by three CR2032 cells, and fitted with five APA102 addressable RGB LEDs plus a button-driven mode system and CTF clues.
ATmega328P dual-PCB image-reel badge
The Kernelcon 2020 Hack-Master badge was a dual-PCB electronic badge with an ATmega328P-AU, three-AAA power, nine APA102 RGB LEDs, a backlit custom image reel, serial-port game plans, EEPROM mode storage, and ICSP pogo-pin programming.
Hack Live customizable hotkey badge
Kernelcon 2021's Hacker HotKey was a customizable hotkey stream-deck badge configured for Hack Live voting, challenge sabotage, hint, and website-launch behavior, with public Arduino Leonardo firmware examples.
ESP8266 watch-badge firmware archive
Kernelcon's 2022 Watch Badge is preserved through its public firmware repository, which documents the kernelcon_watch_v4 firmware, generic ESP8266 core targeting, Arduino IDE build path, hard-coded Wi-Fi configuration, and deauther-software lineage.
Analog TA7642 AM radio badge
Kernelcon's 2023 1337 kHz badge was an old-school analog AM radio badge based on the TA7642 radio IC, a 1.5 V design, small transistor amplifier, headphone output, RF gain knob, and hacker-playground prototyping area.
Analog 555 and 4017 LAN cable tester
Kernelcon's 2024 [a]nalyze [i]nternet badge was an analog LAN cable-tester badge built without a microcontroller, using a 555 timer, 4017 decade counter, RJ45 path, diode network, head LEDs, and a detachable remote.
Raspberry Pi Pico racing badge
Kernelcon's 2025 Race Condition badge was a Raspberry Pi Pico electronic badge with a TM1637-driven seven-segment display, three-AAA power, seven addressable RGB LEDs, buzzer, track-racing modes, reaction test, synthesizer, achievements, and CTF flag unlocks.
ESP32 weather and crank-powered quest badge
Kernelcon's 2026 Off Grid badge is an ESP32 weather-prediction and quest badge with BME280 temperature, humidity, and pressure sensing, twenty addressable RGB LEDs, AAA and hand-crank power modes, BLE/proximity scanning, and MicroPython firmware.