BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Details) - Summary of Segment Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 1,799,960	$ 1,499,528
Assets of discontinued operations	380,555	374,013
Total Assets	2,180,515	1,873,541
Home And Building Products [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,345,467	1,084,103
Telephonics [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	325,766	343,445
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	1,671,233	1,427,548
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment assets:
Continuing Assets	$ 128,727	$ 71,980