I'm just going to jump in here because I firmly believe that if you're careful you get what you pay for - there are some very good software packages between $1k and $2K - and they'll build what you like, the better ones will come with a huge handbook and examples and hints - honestly, have a look at them.
I've seen so many people spend hours downloading "free" charts and try to manipulate them and then download different parameters and then find a way to store in the portfolio that it became a huge burden.
Taken sensibly and after a reasonable learning curve one can make thousands of dollars in the market - if you're going to begrudge spending $1500 on software and $300 p.a. on data then you've made the first mistake.
