Net sales, income (loss) before provision for income taxes and other related segment information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 30,241	$ 30,908
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(4,683)	834
Depreciation and amortization	1,036	996
Total assets	25,837	32,252
RF Connector and Cable Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9,352	11,710
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(1,358)	711
Depreciation and amortization	194	201
Total assets	5,902	7,248
Custom Cabling Manufacturing and Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	20,889	19,198
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(3,232)	(234)
Depreciation and amortization	842	795
Total assets	13,100	16,150
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(93)	357
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Total assets	$ 6,835	$ 8,854