thanks for the help guys.
i tried messing with it again tonight, i had static in the picture before but not now, the screen is just black.
but now that i have installed a jumper on the bottom left two terminals and the adapter wired up to the vhf connections i am able to get some audio among lots of static while on channel 2. the vcr is set for channel 3. but no picture right now. it seems if i wiggle my adapter around the static comes and goes, it seems to sound best with my hand wrapped around it like a insulator.
i think i am going to order another 75ohm/300ohm adapter to try.