Since posting, I read elsewhere that Lance doesn't really want to run a business, which is effectively what he would have if he started selling ad space.
I dont know if membership fees would be any better, from that standpoint, but I venture to guess that even a nominal fee will scare off trolls, and generally reduce membership. Say, 5 to ten dollars a year for the privilege of posting. Guests would be allowed to scan, read, and search, but not post, until fully registered and paid up. This would also cut down on repeat questions, and the subsequent flame-storm that inevitably ensues.
Anyway, with reduced numbers, maybe some of the bandwidth/server space issues would go away.
As for everyone jumping to "that other site," what do you think is going to happen to their bandwidth and server space with 6000 new members flooding in (current registered membership, 335)? You'll see the same problems.
