Larry,
Have you had an opportunity to take a radar course? Be very careful about assuming you are using it and interpreting the results correctly. Simply put, if you do not aim it correctly, you will not see the storms - and be led to believe you're in the clear, when in fact you may be in imminent danger.
Consider this simple scenario (which perhaps you were experiencing): if you beneath a T-Storm in the clear, you will not see it on your radar (since it is directly above you).
While I own a radar equipped aircraft (RDR-160), I am a novice in this subject - but I caution you understand the shortcomings & limitations of your radar before you bet your life that it'll guide you through the weather.
Dave Gwinn is one of the experts in this area – check him out at:
http://www.davegwinn.com/