Not been able to listen to the radio for ages in the Landy after I bust the aerial so fitted a new one today only
to still get no reception, just static.
So I dig out a spare radio, another Sony, virtually identical except a mini disc rather than CD (and worked when I
removed it from my old Astra) and again just static.
So now thinking it's a dodgy aerial I took the Pioneer out of my van and it worked perfectly. Then tried both Sony
units in the van and nothing but static !

Weird that both units should fail in the same way especially as one hasn't been used since removed about five
years ago. Checked if the "local" setting was off and it was.

So, anyone got a cheap unit they don't want ?

It sounds to me like a loose connection in the aerial lead.

I had this once and found the radio would only work when the aerial lead was held at an angle where it goes into the plug, i messed about with taping the thing in position for a while but ended up just cutting it off and soldering on a new plug. I sorted another one out for someone where the aerial and earth connectors were touching in the plug. Aerial plugs dont seem very durable and manufacturers seem to rely on the things not being disturbed.

My suggestion would be to try one of the radios with a few feet of bellwire held into the aerial socket on the stereo, it should be enough to pick up strong radio stations and prove the point.