I did a search, found what was written before, as I stated in my edit. Nobody has really answered my question. I see how everyone recommends to do this, I just want to know if simply putting a resistor in series with the base will work and not damage my trainer. I also want to know WHY it seems to work when I put a resistor there. By definition the current goes down and then it allows my relay to see the needed current across CE? If an output port puts approx. 1mA out, wouldn't that sufficiently saturated the transistor and allow the needed current? Because adding a 4.7K makes that current now at, OH! I just did the math. Now its 2.5 mA. It seems to have gone up. Now I am really confused.

Thanks for the help, by the way!!!