Thanks for the quick replies, guys.
Yes, I agree that the soldering assembly of a component kit for middle, and some high school, kids would be challenging, but at least in this case they have opportunity to be trained via a club setting on school premises or in the community on soldering, using inexpensive soldering stations & tools. Of course, the ideal solution would not require soldering or cutting cases, but such would be a start for some kids (besides all the extra benefits of learning new hands-on skills).
I'm less worried about software installation and tweaking, as today's kids I work with are very used to installing apps, many have ventured into Linux distros even in middle school (and if you think setting up apps & gear with a Windows/Mac laptop is a chore, you have an eye-opener to experience with Linux systems). Millenials and Gen Zers are the new digital generations who are not afraid to at least try and often figure stuff out on their own with Google search. With that said, I spent my entire career in hi-tech, mostly in the computer hardware/software industry, and believe that that goal should always be to eventually make those solutions "grandma simple" if possible, as no one complains in the end AND it opens up this particular application to those older adults who just got into ham radio and are astonished at the high cost of off-the-shelf HF radios/antennas/etc (as we know, VHF/UHF FM has finally become dirt-cheap).
Yes, 1 watt is marginal for PSK31, esp WSPR, altho doable for the QRP fans. 5W is much more desirable, 15W is often too much and generates complaints. At least the low power is working in our favor for a digital-mode-only solution.
I use a Signalink USB (built-in sound card) and have become spoiled from avoiding typical laptop sound card limitations, but that box is another $100 at best. But the good news is that the laptop & tablet sound card chips have improved considerably and since these kids typically get a new laptop every 3-5 yrs, and tablet every 1-3 yrs, I see much of that limitation going away...as long as we can get the I-Q audio via stereo into the devices easily/cheaply. W9OY: what audio chip is in the computer(s) you've used SoftRock with?
Arduino & RasPi based transmitters are starting to appear, which I find interesting, and since USB ports are on all of them and even cheap Bluetooth appearing on some (with A2DP and SPP stacks) I'm hoping to find a solution there, even if it needs an external linear amp to bump power up to 5W.
So I just came across the Peaberry SDR v2 transceiver kit, and wondering about its performance (surface mount soldering, ugh!, that would for sure be beyond the capabilities of teens, tho).