Youre right; they have a pretty slick setup for head end ignition. Tripoli has asked that it be tested at research launches and feedback provided to me. If it works well and if people can develop procedures around it that adhere to the rules that require the ignition devices be installed at the pad or a special prep area, we would consider asking TMT to certify it for use at HPR launches.
That would be the kicker. Having a safe means of applying power to a circuit (electronic device) that has an upper stage igniter attached to it. Me thinks one way (sans shunts mind you) would be to have an external switch (keyed or otherwise) hard wired on the battery to a wireless deployment device along the lines of an EggTimer Quantum. Once the switch is turned on to supply power to the Quantum (which defaults to off anyways) the flier would have to then activate it from their wireless device and they could elect to do it at a distance.
I guess the Quantum is supposed to get a staging firmware if it's not already out there. Barring using a Quantum, a wireless switch could be used which again has an external switch hard wired to the battery. Turn it on to activate the wireless switch which of course defaults to the off position and then wirelessly activate the deployment/staging device (like a Tele-Mega, Easy-Mega, Raven or whatever is being used). Again, only one person would be involved in upper stage arming and the entire setup could be mocked up and tested on the ground to ensure of it's feasibility and safety. Heck I take new altimeters and bench test them with contained ematches and flick on/off switches rapidly to see what happens. So far I've seen nothing adverse.
The weak point is the hard wired switch to the battery but I think the increase in safety is workable by using a very high quality G resistant switch. Or if you crazies fly Wildcat, twist and tuck or tape (Arrrrrgh!) if you please but not on TRA or NAR's dime. (I mean in the context of complex staged rockets here and realize some do this reliably in single staged rockets at venues where it's allowed.)
Dr. Paranoid still doesn't like shunts "unless" the shunt has been proven to be "failsafe" for the given installation. I don't care how much "math" anyone does, it's unproven unless tested in a controlled failure situation. Kurt