Comment by squarefoot

> Culturally there is no problem sharing schematics, so why not code?

HAM operators are for a big part middle aged or older, which could mean for most of them being not fluent with programming, while in theory most of them should have passed an electronics exam. As a result, software knowledge is more rare and could be monetized more easily. Also, the final product of a schematic has to be rebuilt each time in order to be sold, while software can be just copied; that could make a further incentive to keep source code secret.