Net sales, income (loss) before provision for income taxes and other related segment information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 30,964	$ 30,241
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	400	(4,683)
Depreciation and amortization	877	1,036
Total assets	25,060	25,837
RF Connector and Cable Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	11,456	9,352
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	382	(1,358)
Depreciation and amortization	177	194
Total assets	6,297	5,902
Custom Cabling Manufacturing and Assembly
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	19,508	20,889
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(11)	(3,232)
Depreciation and amortization	700	842
Total assets	11,910	13,100
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	29	(93)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Total assets	$ 6,853	$ 6,835