BLE-Link causes upload error

Hey there DFRobot: Are there no suggestions from DFRobot? The website says these should work together but there are not. Should I get something else?
WM

configuration:
arduino UNO
DF IO Expansion shield V7.1
DF BLE-Link

Program:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(14400); //initial the Serial
}

void loop() {
if (Serial.available()) {
Serial.write(Serial.read());//send what has been received
Serial.println(); //print line feed character
}
}

Issue:
This program loads correctly into the Arduino, the arduino with the IO Expansion Shield BUT NOT with the BLE-Link attached to the shield.

Error Msg:
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
(repeats 10 times)

Arduino 'help' indicates this msg is because something is attached to pin 1, but I don't have anything attached.

I have some exp. with arduino but still lots to learn.
Would appreciate some insights/direction on how to solve this issue.

Thanks,
WM