For numerous reasons I had to use the Manual Offline Activation sequence.  What I am providing today is just a heads-up.

After you Generate and acquire your system code you need to head to a supplied on-line address for instructions.  The downloaded CS_b727 software states that you need go to a specific CS address which I can't name here due to forum rules.  That CS address will not get you where you want UNLESS you make a small change in that address from .net to .com

It is a Captain Sim address that is supplied with net instead of com.  I guessed that this might be the error.  Sure enough.  With this change I succeeded in the activation.