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SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher/Editor Nicholas Vinen Technical Editor John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Bao Smith – B.Sc. Tim Blythman – B.E., B.Sc. Advertising Enquiries (02) 9939 3295 adverts<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Allan Linton-Smith Dave Thompson David Maddison – B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Geoff Graham Associate Professor Graham Parslow Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB., FRANZCO Ian Batty – M.Ed. Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.) Cartoonist Louis Decrevel loueee.com Founding Editor (retired) Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD Silicon Chip is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20 880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Subscription rates (Australia only) 6 issues (6 months): $70 12 issues (1 year): $130 24 issues (2 years): $245 Online subscription (Worldwide) 6 issues (6 months): $52.50 12 issues (1 year): $100 24 issues (2 years): $190 For overseas rates, see our website or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au * recommended & maximum price only Postal address: PO Box 194, Matraville, NSW 2036. Phone: (02) 9939 3295. ISSN: 1030-2662 Editorial Viewpoint Supplier price increases I had hoped we could avoid raising the magazine’s cover price or subscription rates this year. Unfortunately, several factors beyond our control mean we must do so to continue producing a magazine with the same level of quality and content. The new prices (listed below) will take effect from the next issue, or for subscribers, on renewals from the 1st of September. If you’d like to lock in the current, lower rates, you can extend your subscription now and save a few dollars. While I dislike price increases as much as anyone else, if you compare the price-to-content ratio of Silicon Chip to other magazines, I think it’s still a good deal. Over the past couple of years, we’ve worked hard to reduce our business operating costs to avoid price rises. However, those savings have been more than wiped out by increased supplier costs. That left us with a decision: reduce the amount of content in each issue, or raise prices to maintain it. I believe most readers would prefer the latter, so that’s the path we’ve chosen. The costs of both printing and postage have increased substantially this year. I negotiated a favourable printing deal at the end of last year that I hoped would last for at least 12 months. However, I have recently been told it is no longer available. As a result, our printing costs increased by 27% virtually overnight. It looks like there may soon be less competition in the magazine printing industry in Australia. Of course, less competition and less choice means higher prices. Australia Post is also increasing prices again. In January 2020, you could mail a regular letter for $1.00. By the time you’re reading this, they will be charging $1.70. You don’t need to be a mathematical wizard to calculate that’s a 70% increase in around five years – way above the rate of inflation. As a comparison, the change in the Silicon Chip cover price since 2013 (from $9.95 to $14.00) fairly well matches the rate of inflation over those years. Also, companies are reducing the amount they are spending on sponsorships and advertising. One advertiser pulled out after being hit by the ridiculous US tariff situation. Others are simply tightening their marketing budgets for various reasons. When advertising revenue drops, the only practical way to make up the shortfall is by charging more for the magazine. I’m hopeful that our recent cost-cutting measures, such as relocating from the large Brookvale office to more affordable premises, will help limit further price increases in future. But, in the end, we’re still at the mercy of our suppliers. I want to keep this magazine going for many years to come, and that means it has to remain financially viable – without reducing quality. So, from the September 2025 issue onwards, the cover price of the print edition will be AU$14.00 or NZ$14.90; the online issues will not increase (see prices in the masthead). The subscription prices will change as shown in the table below. by Nicholas Vinen Subscription Prices, effective 01/09/2025 New Prices Print (AU) Printing and Distribution: 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204 2 Silicon Chip Combined (AU) Print (NZ) Combined (NZ) RoW 6-month $72.50 $82.50 $85 $95 $105 12-month $135 $155 $160 $180 $200 24-month $255 $290 $300 $335 $390 Australia's electronics magazine siliconchip.com.au