What must be included when an operator makes a radio announcement?

When making a radio announcement, it is essential to include the direction of travel. This information is crucial for maintaining clear communication among train operators and ensuring safe operations. Providing the direction helps others on the radio network understand where the train is headed, which is particularly important for avoiding collisions and coordinating movements on the tracks.

Including the direction of travel aids in situational awareness for everyone involved in the rail network. It allows other operators, dispatchers, and personnel to anticipate the train’s movements and react accordingly, facilitating smoother operations and enhancing safety.

While other factors like the engineer's name and ID, weather conditions, or departure time may be relevant in certain contexts, they are not universally required for radio announcements in the same way the direction of travel is, which directly impacts the coordination and safety of rail operations.