kk5zc, I have the interface version. It plugs into a regular 9-pin com port. You could plug into a 25 with an adapter...it doesn't care. I'm using my Futaba T8UAF with it and it works like a charm. To my surprise, I could also use my G2 controller...and in fact, I can use them both at the same time with a split screen (for same-machine multi-play). You could actually use a regular joystick (as if you'd ever want to).

I'm going to say that the connector cable itself is the security device. When you first start the program it checks for the com connection as soon as you move the mouse to attempt to use the program. This happens whether my transmitter is plugged into the interface cable or not. The program starts regardless. Since I'm too lazy to unscrew the com connector I won't check whether the program is halted if that's off...but that's probably what should happen. There is nothing else attached. The interface cable itself ends in a "Y" that has two different types of plugs. I believe you'd use the one different from mine but the manual says its ready for both Futaba and JR (along with others).

I had a lot of concerns myself prior to getting this...especially with what I listed above. It all works just like I wanted it to, and hoped it would (whew). It's no harder to install than G2 (assuming you have a free com port and don't have to mess with that). Hope this helps and feel free to post again or send me an email if you have any more questions. I'm having a blast with this thing.

Chuck

Edit: Ok, curiousity got the better of me. I had to see if the program would run with the com connector off. It will not. It's not a pass-through device, it's a little bigger and must have a little circuitry in it (it can be taken apart...it's bolted together). If you get the version with the controller, it must have this device simply as a plug with no wire coming from it.