A radio communications device (100) comprising a chassis (102) having an outer frame with a partition (106). There is a substantially rigid housing that in combination with partition (106) form a user interface chamber (410) and one other chamber (420). A keypad switch mount (130) supports a plurality of switch contacts (132) aligned with respective keypad keys (134), the keypad switch mount being disposed in the user interface component chamber (410). A display screen (140 is also disposed in the user interface component chamber (410) and and a battery chamber (430) is formed in the other component chamber (420) adjacent a circuit substrate (150) having surface mounted processor and transceiver circuitry ((160, 260).