How to remote detonate your fireworks

So, you've followed Kurt Hofmann's advice and downloaded the Army Technical Manual 31-201, the Improvised Munitions Handbook. You've followed the instructions in the manual and now you have your umm fireworks, but now you're wondering, "How do I detonate these things?" The manual gives clear instructions on using blasting caps, detonation cord, and even tells you how to make a fuse, but you don't have blasting caps and want to set them off remotely.

If (when) the tyrants of the government come to confiscate your guns, and you shoot the first one in the head because, well, he's an agent of a tyrannical government, you can expect another visit from other tyrants. I'm sure that by this time, you're already prepared, and by prepared I mean that you've already planted and hidden your fireworks. Certainly you can't run out into the yard, light a fuse, and then run back to the safety of your home. This is where a remote detonation system would be very handy.

Predator Pyro makes a Remote Firework Ignition System and for 20 bucks, you can have a remote ignition system and enough clips to detonate 15 devices. The major drawbacks to this system is you have to use fuses in your devices (they may get wet) and it uses an infrared remote, so you have to have line of sight with the devices. You'll also have to have one of these remote ignition systems for each one of your umm, fireworks.

Cobra Firing Systems makes a very nice, wireless fire control system, but it also uses the firing clips that must be clipped onto a fuse.

Infrared remotes are out and you don't want to use fuses, so you need to find something that uses radio waves and e-matches instead, here is where RF Remote Tech comes in. RF Remote Tech makes a wireless firing system that ignites from one device up to 32 and costs from $20 for the single system up to $120 for the 32 device system. The shipping charges are very reasonable as well.

Now comes the problem with E-matches. E-matches (electric matches) are lengths of wire with a piece of nichrome wire wrapped around the ends or a nichrome chip soldered on to the ends and dipped in a pyrogen. E-matches are regulated by the ATF and you must have a license to purchase them. You can, however, make your own e-match, legally. The folks over at PyroCreations sells a kit that comes complete with everything you need to make 50 e-matches for about $50. The only thing that you have to do in your shop to complete the e-matches is mix the pyrogen, dip the wire leads (that already have the nichrome bridges soldered on) and let dry. Their website says that the kit will coat up to 300 e-matches but only 50 blanks comes with the kit, luckily, they offer 25 blanks for $13.

There you have it, folks. A book that tells you how to make your own fireworks and how to detonate them from the safety of inside your home.

Pro tip: don't make pipe bombs and use this remote system to detonate them, it's illegal and may be harmful to your health. This information is for educational and entertainment purposes only.