wklodge

Anybody set up TradeStation v9.5 using the Elgato Stream Deck? I have a rather large set of hotkeys for trading but don't know how to translate them to the Stream Deck. Their User Manual unfortunately leaves a lot to be desired. If you used TradeStation, you know that hotkeys aren't set up the way they are in DAS. DAS is actually more comprehensive and flexible IMO. So, I've created various hotkeys for Buying, Selling, Selling Short, and Covering. Can't do things like "sell 1/4 shares" as you can in DAS. Must calculate in your head what 1/4 shares would be and then sell that amount via the Matrix or Order Bar. So I've opted to just create hotkeys to sell by shares, like Sell 100, Sell 200, etc. Also have hotkeys for selling All shares of course, including a Bailout hotkey when you absolutely must get out of the position. I document my hotkeys in OneNote, then print out for convenience. I'm pretty familiar with the hotkeys, but would like a Stream Deck version to increase physical accuracy and decrease mental load. As you can guess, I have on occasion made a mistake with hotkeys in the heat of the moment. I have the XL version of Stream Deck. It has 32 keys. I envision all Buys and Sells to be on the first screen, and (somehow) have the Shorts and Covers on a second screen. Unfortunately, my hotkeys would take up all 32 keys. I see that there are "multi action" and "multi action switch" keys and wonder whether one could be used to switch between screens, instead of using a folder. Can anybody offer any suggestions on how to start? If someone could show me how to do ONE key, I can probably complete the rest (at least I think so). I envision separating the keys into two sets: one for narrow spreads, and one for wide spreads. With wide spreads it doesn't seem to make sense to Buy at Ask+.05. I'd rather buy at Bid+a couple of cents. I've already tried this setup on TradeStation and it works well. I usually get filled earlier (cheaper price). If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, please let me know. Thanks, William

Hi Jason, I think ur right. You can set TI to a past date for replay of the stocks u found in the original scan, but I don't know of "scanning" in the past. I would definitely be interested in ur scanner using Python. I'm familiar w/ Python but haven't used it for years. I too am looking for a viable alternative to TI b/c I'm not making enough to offset the cost. For the "what" to be included in the Python scanner, we ccould look at the columns of the Gappers list as a start. Oh, in my past life (10+ years ago), I was a software test engineer for about 10 years. Unfortunately never go into automated testing b/c it didn't sync with the needs of the project. But automated ttesting at the time was the way to go. I mostly did manual testing -- painful to execute and maintain. William

Couldn't get the CyberPower UPS fixed, so bought an APC, 1500 VA I believe. No problems so far. The only drawback to UPSs in general is that you have to replace the battery every 2-3 years. Can be expensive. Also have to dispose of the older battery (I think BestBuy takes them). I've read on Youtube that some traders just invest in a really, really good surge protector and don't worry about an UPS. Don't know if I like that idea or not since the surge protector won't provide any run power. William L

Jose, Yes, I've read articles about traders using the Elgato Stream Deck for their hotkeys. You can also use the larger XL Elgato w/ 32 keys. I think the idea is great and intend on buying an XL very soon. For the minor learning curve in how to use the XL, I think it'd be worth it. No more hotkey mistakes! And faster execution b/c I won't have to memorize my current set (about 40+ hotkeys). It should be a big help to my trading. William L

I use Ask + .05 for buys, and Bid - .05 for sells. The orders can get executed at the limits of their respective ranges due to slippage. I'm using marketable limit orders so I've seen some slippage from time to time.

I had finviz Elite for a while but discontinued it b/c I wasn't using it, deferring instead to the BBT chatroom. Yes, the Elite version uses real-time data. As far as I know, the data used in the maps are real-time also. If I ever get into swing trading, finviz would be useful to me.

Hello RTrader, I finally found someone else who uses TradeStation besides me! I'm on v9.5 though; won't go to v10 for a while. Regarding hotkeys, have you considered using the Elgato Stream Deck XL, which has 32 customizable LCD keys? Although I know my hotkeys fairly well, I've made mistakes in the heat of the moment. Looking at a key and seeing "Buy 300 at Ask + .05" would be a lot easier to do. The XL version is a little pricey (although not compared to the rest of the hardware), but the cost could be recouped in a short while. I just don't know how to program the thing (yet). Also, I don't use TradeStation's Level 2. I prefer the matrix, which also shows Level 2 data. Most of the stocks we trade don't move fast enough to justify a hotkey for Buying shares, etc. I've been in the TS sim and the matrix seems to work for me just fine. I have 4 24" Dell monitors, but only 2 have TradeStation data (I make liberal use of workspaces instead). What's your setup like? Thanks, William

I started out with a MacBook Pro running an i7 chip with 16GB RAM. It also has a 500GB SSD. I installed Bootcamp on about half of the SSD, and then installed TradeStation and Windows 10 Pro in Bootcamp. Works like a champ. I'm using Windows 10 Pro on my desktop w/ i7 at 3.8Ghz, 500GB SSD, and 32GB RAM. TradeStation has no problems running on this machine either. If anything, since TS is a 32-bit program, I can overload it and it comes to a halt until it "catches up."

Don't forget Wash Sales. You get to exclude them under TTS and MTM, but you have to (usually) fill out a form for your broker not to include them in the year-end 1099 to the IRS; otherwise, it causes a tax accounting nightmare. I also understand that the IRS now allows you to revoke the MTM election, but don't know where I read that.

I use a CyberPower UPS for the main computer, and have a separate UPS for the router. Haven't had any problems with either until just a couple of days ago where the main UPS just shut down for no apparent reason. Luckily I was i sim mode.

I use TradeStation as both my platform and broker. Here are some points you may consider: 1. TradeStation has a program for military vets, activity duty, and first responders where the commissions are zero. You pay only the SEC and Trading Activity Fees (which are usually pretty low unless you do a lot of scalping; even then, they are low compared to commissions). I think the program is called "Salutes," but just tell them you're in one of those categories and they'll take care of it. 2. Setting up hotkeys has been a pain. They're not nearly as flexible as DAS. Plus, you have to wade through their Help documentation (which is plentiful) to figure out the meaning of terms such as "Improve", "Hit/Take", "Hit/Take+", etc. Once you know what these mean, setting up hotkeys is easy. However, setting up WHAT hotkeys is more of a problem b/c they are "fixed," you can't change them very easily w/o going through the process of editing them. Couldn't possibly do this duringn a trade. I have some generic hotkeys set up to buy 100 shares at Ask +.01, sell 100 shares at Ask -.01, etc. Also for shorting and selling ur entire position in a stock. DAS allows you to set up a hotkey to let's say sell 1/2 your position. Can't do that in TS. If I have a 400 share position, to sell half I have to execute the Sell 200 shares at Ask-.01 macro via hotkey. Then to sell the next half, run the Sell 100 shares at Ask -.01 macro. At that point I have 100 shares left, and all I can do is sell the remaining shares b/c I don't have a macro/hotkey set up for selling only 50 shares. 3. More flexibility in hotkeys could possibly be had using EasyLanguage, but unfortunately, EasyLanguage cannot be hooked up to a hotkey. 4. TradeStation is a 32-bit program with no likelihood of going to 64-bit any time soon. In fact, probably never. My machine uses a 64-bit CPU running at 3.8Ghz. I have on more than one occasion caused TradeStation to "crash." Thankfully though, what happens is that it actually buffers all your keyboard commands, and then when it "catches up," they are run. But, it can take upwards of 1-2 minutes for TS to catch up, at which point you could've lost a bunch of money. What happens when it "crashes" is that is just stops responding to mouse and keyboard inputs. And, whatever you do, DON'T turn off or reboot Tradestation during this time. 5. As for order execution times, I use their "intelligent" routing and found little if any difference in speed compared to going through an ECN (for which you are charged). 6. I am wondering what hotkeys others have set up. I've had to experiment with mine extensively in the sim mode, and I'm still not happy with them, especially those hotkeys that close/sell out t he entire position. For example, I have my "bailout" hotkey set at Bid-.03, but it doesn't always get me out of the entire position and I have to execute it twice.