[redshift]

My CC BEC also smoked before I got any use out of it. Maybe I'm better off for it if it's a source of interference. I went to my LHS and surprise, no 4/AA clips (they never have anything I need)
So I ended up at RadioSnack and (grr!) all they had was a 4/AAA clip, so I got that along with 4 750mAh Nimh AAAs. I was thinking "this'll run my radio for about 15 minutes" but actually it's working quite well, Over 90 minutes before it got below 5V!

I'd say if you're not racing, or overly concerned with the little extra weight, go with a clip/pack and not a bec.