Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Notes Tables

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

	September 30, 2016						September 30, 2015
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	158,462,000	$	53,436,000	$	105,026,000	$	158,705,000	$	49,604,000	$	109,101,000
Bonds		8,172,000		4,942,000		3,230,000		7,336,000		4,939,000		2,397,000
	$	166,634,000	$	58,378,000	$	108,256,000	$	166,041,000	$	54,543,000	$	111,498,000

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

Intangible Assets
	September 30, 2016									September 30, 2015
	Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
Gross intangible	$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000		$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000
Accumulated amortization		(14,938,000	)		(1,738,000	)		(16,676,000	)		(10,406,000	)		(1,233,000	)		(11,639,000	)
	$	7,166,000		$	787,000		$	7,953,000		$	11,698,000		$	1,292,000		$	12,990,000

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
2016
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	250,000	$	5,000	$	(55,000	)	$	200,000
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