Net sales, income (loss) before provision for income taxes and other related segment information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7,808	$ 7,640	$ 22,065	$ 22,159
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	189	(699)	(86)	(1,320)
Depreciation and amortization	215	241	649	769
RF Connector and Cable Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,964	2,576	8,106	6,611
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	153	(541)	236	(1,243)
Depreciation and amortization	43	49	131	146
Custom Cabling Manufacturing and Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,844	5,064	13,959	15,548
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	31	(126)	(345)	(111)
Depreciation and amortization	172	192	518	623
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	5	(32)	23	34
Depreciation and amortization	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0