[VLM]

One issue is complexity management. The kind of finite element software that can model fields in microwave-range hardware is, frankly, a PITA at one extreme, and at the other extreme you have minecraft redstone and an ancient computer game from the 80s called Rockys Boots and some .edu softare.

It strikes me as pretty hard to satisfy both extremes. Don't even have to go to extremes. Forget exotic microwave work an just try to have the same software and user interface model both a stereotypical ham radio dude 20M dipole and simultaneously be usable for a kids arduino LED blinker and make a simple flashlight.

I would claim that minecraft redstone is a local maxima and you'd do best to try and extend/mod it. Someone out there probably already has (or should have) a mod to add basic logic gates in redstone, rather than simple plungers which already exist, how about simple robot arm joints in minecraft?