To be clear, so can I (and do) in my LAA type?
Are you saying that your lump of metal up front wont paint on radar? If not then that raises a very interesting point.
The problem with all these entrenched views is that the only solution will be extended controlled airspace. Probably to the point where there is not true G airspace in the congested areas (i.e. london and south, around CVT etc). Fine by me cos Im fully equipped - but not something I would want in general. I dont think the CAA have given up on Mode-S they will just introduce Mode-S vales over large areas - and possibly sooner rather than later.