[amsat-bb] Sequencer advice needed

[Hans BX2ABT]

I haven't worked with sequencers before as all my LNAs and SDRs have 
been used for receive only. But now that I have a Airspy HF+ I want to 
get going with APRS on 145.825 and use this on HF as well. So receiving 
with the SDR, transmitting with a transceiver. I also want to experiment 
with LNAs, so another reason to use a sequencer. I did a lot of 
googling, learned some, but still not sure what I need to look out for 
when buying one. I prefer a kit or assembled product as a first try.

Below is a list of what I found on line. From a distance the VHF Design 
is cheap and has detailed information, so I am leaning towards 
purchasing that. Later, for a DIY project, I like the OZ1BXM design 
because it uses an Arduino for control, which brings some flexiblity.

Can you all please give me some input on what to look for in sequencers 
or comment on the choices below? Any other kits/assemblies I have missed 
and should be considered? Cheers,

Hans
BX2ABT



Minikits from Austalia's EME166: AU$45 (=US$27.75)

https://www.minikits.com.au/Sequencer?search=Sequencer

This is the only one that indicates a frequency range: 28 to 500 MHz, so 
this will cover the 2m band, but not HF. Also RF input is 4 Watts 
maximum, which seems low, so how is this usable?



W6PQL's sequencer (US$20 for kit, US$37.50 assembled)

http://www.w6pql.com/relay_sequencer.htm

No info on frequency range or input power. Not much info on the website.



VHF Design (US$20 assembled)

https://vhfdesign.com/other/sequencer-pcb.html

Website has good information, diagrams and PCB layouts. Again no info on 
frequency range, etc.



Downeast Microwave (US$25~80)

https://www.downeastmicrowave.com/searchresults.asp?Search=sequencer&Submit=

3 and 4 step sequencers both in solid state and with relays based on a 
design by W5LUA. Which better: solid state or relays? Little indept info.



G3SEK - (DIY)

http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/dx-book/sequencer/

Basically only a schematic, so need to build it from the ground up.



OZ1BXM (DIY)

http://oz1bxm.dk/seq/sequencer.html

Another DIY project based on the W6PLQ design. This uses an Arduino as 
MCU, so should be flexible. No kits and no PCB designs.



SM2CEW (DIY)

http://sm2cew.com/sequencer/sequencer.html

This one looks very simple to make with very few components. It was 
designed for HF, so will it work on VHF?