Q-Calc Buttons

First start by picking a Futures contract or Forex pair and a timeframe, then choose a trading system (any indicator that produces buy/sell signals).

Futures Note: For Futures choose a start analysis time in the Autopilot backtest by going to the daily chart and looking up the Volume indicator to see when the volume moved from the previous contract month to the current contract month you have chosen. This is so you can get a realistic picture of trading. (i.e. When your current month would have started trading).

Forex Note: Before opening a book, make sure to delete your cache. Go to “Manage Local Cache” under the “File Menu” and move the intraday history slider up about half of the way so you will be able to look at more history. After that, choose a start time of approximately three months prior to the current date. 

Using the Global Quick Calculation (Q-Calc) button at the very top is a good place to start. By using the Global Q-Calc button the Autopilot will automatically calculate each individual setting that is turned on. To get the best overall picture please have each box on the Autopilot Control Panel checked, so that the Global Q-Calc button can optimize each individual setting for the highest profitability. 

After global optimization is done, you will be able to check and uncheck different settings on the Control Panel to further optimize your profitability.  By looking at your Autopilot Profit/Loss Column (P\L  $) you will be able to see if your profit goes up or down depending on the settings that are checked or unchecked.

Next, continue optimizing by clicking each button. The individual Q-Calc buttons are used to optimize profitability for each individual setting.  When re-optimizing settings individually the Q-Calc will always arrive at the most profitable setting or it will change nothing. Use specific ranges to narrow your optimizations with the Q-Calc buttons.  You may change ranges by right-clicking on each Q-Calc button. If your starting value is outside of your range and it has a better result than those within the range, the Q-Calc result will default back to your starting value.

You may specify the Q-Calc Range for each individual Q-Calc button. Right-click a Q-Calc button to view the range used by the Quick Calculation. The Q-Calc Range will display which specific value range the Q-Calc is searching through for the highest gain.

As an example: If you are running the Q-Calc for a Stop Style and you would like your stop to risk no more than $300 for any one trade, right-click the Stop Style Q-Calc button and set $300 as your maximum value to risk. The Q-Calc will not search for any stop loss values higher than $300.

Note: The Q-Calc buttons may take a while to process information, especially when using the Global Q-Calc button. It is recommended that you do not run other programs, or minimize the Track ‘n Trade window, while the Global Q-Calc is calculating.

Note: Saving your progress in intervals is also recommended, in either a book or with the Autopilot save feature. This will ensure that you always have an up-to-date saved version of your Autopilot settings.

*Important Note*: While the Q-Calc buttons are there to speed up the process of finding a winning system, you should not rely on them as the absolute best. There are millions of possibilities and one small change in any setting can cause dramatic changes in the overall picture.