So, you end up in a situation where people can shoot in, but can't shoot out? That creates an interesting situation where you can get spawn trapped, while also being unable to fight your way out.
If the maps were bigger, if there was a bigger buffer, if enemies couldn't drive or fly into your HQ, and if your HQ was protected by the landscape, it would make things more balanced. Since that isn't the case, it's probably correct that you should be able to shoot out of a HQ if others can shoot in.
Maybe just the C-RAM needs a nerf? Like, no AA in HQ at all, or no AA in HQ if within certain radius of C-RAM? Or, just make C-RAM less effective in general. Add C-RAM cool-downs or randomised targetting ("bloom").
I call it C-RAM cause that is what it was called in my real-life experience.
For me the CRAM doesn't even work when I need it, If I have a jet on my tail and I can't shake it I will fly over the base hoping the CRAM might make them break off but no the CRAM stays silent but If I am following a jet to the enemy base their CRAM is a different story and shreds me alive.
I think the most important aspect here is that the distance between the HQ and the combat area is larger. So yes, that must mean bigger maps. The C-RAM is excellent and if anything the HQ should have more defenses like that. Like you say, the enemy shouldn't easily be able to drive/fly into your HQ. It's the C-RAM scares those hostiles away
I do agree that the AA shouldn't be incentivized to use the C-RAM as protection. It should not be able to effectively stay in base. So there's two ways to go about it:
make no shoot in then as well, base/ spawn protection
That won't work either. It just makes it easier to camp the exact border of the spawn protection. As soon as you cross, everyone starts shooting at you.
something needs to be done though
