Smift gold problem

I have a BlueSIMiRF rigged up to an Arduino.

BlueSMiRF pins rigged as follows viewed from the top (left to rigth):

Empty

Arduino pin 9

Arduino pin 8

Arduino ground

Arduino 5v

Empty

I’ve checked that the connections are made and are not corss wired.

I’m using the Arduino code from the Sparkfun instructions. With Tx as 8 and Rx as 9.

The device is not entering command mode and instead is sitting in start-up mode with out timing out (StatLED blinks iwice a second continuously, even after 60 secnds). I can pair with the device.

Any ideas or guidance woudl be greatfully received. Thanks in advance for any help.