Back in 2004 I was showing as many as 500 hundred people how to trade the foreign exchange ( Forex) every morning from the European open to noon, I had to have an edge to make sure my calls were the most reliable I could make. I understood we were trading individual currencies and not pairs, so I patched together a simple spreadsheet that would measure the price changes between a dozen pairs and extract the actual strengths of the individual currencies. I had to measure each of the major eight currencies according to their behavior with others.  One chart only gave me part of the picture. 

Strength and weakness of individual currencies is the essence of what we are doing when we trade. 

I needed to see the individual currencies trend over time. Eventually I had to go to software that could do the job properly since the stakes were high. The spreadsheet evolved into a software program with all the features I need it to have, and one dozen pairs turned into 2 dozen (26 actually).  Well, multiple trials and errors on the basic formula (currency strength algorithm) resulted in the 4XPilot currency strength meter we have today. Six years later, the 4XPilot became the tool I needed, with all the features only a program could provide.  It took some time for word to spread and now it is used by hundreds of full time professional currency traders who swear by it as the testimonials show. (Most newbie's would never pay the price I ask because they don't understand the importance of having a tool like this...yet) The reason my clients love their currency meters and never want to trade without them is because they have seen how it can supercharge a mediocre trading system.  Today, in 2010, Several of the most reputable trading groups in the country use Tradetime currency strength meters to ratchet up their win ratios and astound their students. Several ebook authors feature my meter in their systems and a another large part of my clients were referred by a friend. 

I created every aspect of this website and it shows, doesn't it? I have always been a technical minded person and although the site may not be a work of art, I have found it seems to attract people who are technical minded as well. This, for those who can recognize it, is the edge every person who exchanges currencies intraday needs.  Once a person clears away the smoke and mirrors so prevalent in this industry, simple logic tells us that the essence of trading is strength against weakness. Individual currencies trend, not pairs.

Every old time trader has secrets. I'll tell you 3 of mine:

1. Use lines not bars or candles.

2. Buy strength, sell weakness.

3. Use a currency strength meter with whatever system you are comfortable with.

Have a great day and always watch out for the economic reports. Brokers know how to play the people who try to trade the news. They learned the hard way.
 

tom-