Taking the plunge and unlocking device tonight, question about when to activate radio

[BK111968]

I'm getting a refurb device to replace my Touch Pro 2 which I upgraded with the new stock 6.5/Sense 2.5 rom and ran into problems with my yahoo account not working properly (Verizon said it was software and just sent me another device instead after doing multiple hard resets and re-adding the e-mail account).

Anyway, I decided that I'm going to try Mr. X's updated Verizon Rom (THANK YOU TO HIM) and noticed the phone had to be unlocked to do so (read up on the Hard SPL) but when I get the replacement should I activate the radio first or do the upgrade and then activate?

Thanks!