People who will never have $4,300 to spend on a hobby toy see people who can afford such things as the rich people. That's just the way it is. Some guys would have to skrimp and save for years to afford something like this and if that is their case ..... they probably have no business even contemplating such a purchase. We shouldn't Wallet Shame radio hobbyists who don't have as much money as that other guy over there.
Doesn't matter if it is about radio or anything else. It's all about priorities. People shouldn't have to live in squaller because Big Daddy wanted to buy that bass boat or that Wizard amplifier in the name of being the loudest on the band just to have his ego stroked either, but it does happen. Right on this forum we have seen people talk about wanting to put together a station capable of several kilowatts, like 10K or more, but they can't until their tax rebate comes in, and then they state that they should spend it on new flooring or house repairs or a newer vehicle, but the station comes first. Again, it's all about priorities. Hell I want a legal limit amp too, and for me that is 2250 watts pep, but I don’t have one. I put my family and basic needs and creature comforts ahead of that. I may not live next door to the poor house, but I am far from being rich too. Truth be told, I could buy pretty much any amp on the market right now and pay ca$h for it, but those damn priorities and the fact that I like to keep a few buck$ available for unknown circumstances keeps that money in the bank. What else do you consider only available to the rich? Have you priced new vehicles lately? What about vacations? I haven't been anywhere since the fall of 2019 and won't be this year either, likely due to the covid BS and travel chaos still happening. I continued to stash my money away and decided to put $10K cash down on a John 1025R sub-compact tractor with loader and mower deck that totalled just under $30K. Does that make me rich? I think not. It means I manage my money. Yes I may have more than some, but I certainly do not have nearly as much as a LOT of people out there. Then again, they are still paying their stuff off while the only bill I have is for the tractor and those payments are insignificant. What you call only available to the rich, I call jealously.