"Mike Rapoport" wrote
It isn't cheaper when you consider that it requires an operator.

It doesn't require a DEDICATED operator. There is no reason that the
squawk code could not be issued by the approach/center controller.
Typically, a non-busy airport would have no tower or a VFR tower, so
one-in, one-out. The code could be set by a remote landline from
approach/center, or it could simply use a fixed discrete code that
would not be used for other purposes in that sector.

Michael