I think that we are here for a hobby and we can have differents objectives.
If the objective is to see a channel is better to buy a card, you save time and money, and in my opinion can not to be a hobby.
If the objective is to be happy through programming decoders, cams, cards, try to edit a file, try to understand how it works, search for information, application information, share knowledge, ..., ...., I think is hobby.
If "times of keys clearing any major popular packages have long since passed away" is your opinion, you can buy cards or enjoy with CS. Here is encryptions chat, here people try to understand how to, share info, spending time looking cw and others.
Every opinion is very subjective, for exemple I do not watch TV, when the channel opens for me is over the game. :thum:
Sorry for my English language, have a nice day
( Friend empb I agree 100% what you writed )
see ya