Net sales, income (loss) before provision for income taxes and other related segment information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7,735	$ 7,592	$ 14,519	$ 13,909
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(50)	614	(621)	461
Depreciation and amortization	262	194	528	389
RF Connector and Cable Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,079	3,339	4,036	6,040
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(250)	459	(664)	377
Depreciation and amortization	51	41	97	92
Custom Cabling Manufacturing and Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5,656	4,253	10,483	7,869
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	172	145	15	69
Depreciation and amortization	211	153	431	297
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	28	10	28	15
Depreciation and amortization	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0