Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Notes Tables

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015						September 30, 2014
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	158,705,000	$	49,604,000	$	109,101,000	$	165,734,000	$	43,042,000	$	122,692,000
Bonds		7,336,000		4,939,000		2,397,000		7,942,000		4,934,000		3,008,000
	$	166,041,000	$	54,543,000	$	111,498,000	$	173,676,000	$	47,976,000	$	125,700,000

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2015									September 30, 2014
	Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
Gross intangible	$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000		$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000
Accumulated amortization		(10,406,000	)		(1,233,000	)		(11,639,000	)		(6,004,000	)		(727,000	)		(6,731,000	)
	$	11,698,000		$	1,292,000		$	12,990,000		$	15,946,000		$	1,798,000		$	17,744,000

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Table Text Block]

Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses		Accounts Charged off less Recoveries			Balance at End of Year
2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	250,000	$	61,000	$	(61,000	)	$	250,000
2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	250,000	$	41,000	$	(41,000	)	$	250,000
2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	200,000	$	144,000	$	(94,000	)	$	250,000