A portable radio includes a housing having a front display. The front display includes a liquid crystal display structure, a first layer of touch panel rear glass disposed exterior to the liquid crystal display structure, and a second layer of touch panel front glass disposed exterior to the first layer of touch panel rear glass. The second layer of touch panel front glass provides a viewable surface and user interface. The front display also includes a vacuum layer disposed between the first layer of touch panel rear glass and the second layer of touch panel front glass, and a plurality of spacers disposed in the vacuum layer that maintain a gap. The front display also includes a seal that at least partially seals and maintains a vacuum within the vacuum layer.