Trying to Create FTP Client in VB.net - getting errors

I'm getting a strange error when trying to create an FTP Request (Line 2)  see code:

  'Create Request To Upload File'
        Dim wrUpload As FtpWebRequest = WebRequest.Create("ftp://" & hostname)
        'Specify Username & Password'
        wrUpload.Credentials = New NetworkCredential(username, pwd)
        'Start Upload Process'
        wrUpload.Method = WebRequestMethods.Ftp.UploadFile

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The URI ("FTP://" & hostname) is a valid FTP site (mine), also tried ftp.adobe.com
also tried same procedure in C# no go, got same exact error
I can connect to the FTP sites with any other FTP client including windows command prompt FTP command.
I'm using Visual Studio 2017 with default .net assemblies.  Also tried other .net assemblies all the way down to .net 2.0

Here's a snapshot of the error:
Proof1.jpg