[Jeffhs]

I'd try putting the TV on the same channel the VCR outputs to. Most VCRs output to either channel 3 or channel 4, depending on which channel is not used in the user's area; I have never seen one that has RF output on channel 5. That's probably why you are not getting a picture, although the signal may still be strong enough to produce some sound. If you try to watch the VCR when it is set for channel 3 RF output, but the TV is set on channel 4 (or vice versa), you may not get a picture at all; if you do, it will either be negative with very poor horizontal sync or else very weak and distorted. Set the TV tuner to the same RF output channel the VCR is set to and it should work well.