Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Type Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents ($420,663 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS ASSETS Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents ($420,663 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted cash (all related to VIE) Time Deposits At Carrying Value Certificates of deposit Certificates of deposit Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $95,500 and $102,736, respectively ($809,120 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $95,500 and $102,736, respectively ($809,120 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Inventory Net Inventories Inventories ($487,687 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Totals Other Assets Current Other current assets Other current assets ($33,263 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Prepaid Taxes Prepaid income taxes Prepaid income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred tax assets Deferred tax assets ($42,100 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Assets Current Total current assets Total current assets Total current assets Property Plant and Equipment Net [Abstract] Property and equipment: Property and equipment: Land and Buildings Gross Land and building Land and building ($1,548,100 of collateral for VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Land and buildings, Gross Machinery and Equipment Gross Equipment and tooling Equipment and tooling ($305,399 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Furniture and Fixtures Gross Furniture and office equipment Furniture and office equipment ($16,150 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Property Plant and Equipment Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Accumulated Depreciation Depletion and Amortization Property Plant and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation Less accumulated depreciation Property Plant and Equipment Net Property and equipment, net Total property and equipment Total property and equipment Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Amortizable intangible assets, net Amortizable intangible assets, net Amortizable intangible assets, net Total Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill Non-amortizable intangible assets Non-amortizable intangible assets, trade marks Due From Officers Or Stockholders, Noncurrent Note receivable from stockholder Note receivable from stockholder Other Assets Noncurrent Other assets Other assets ($70,668 for settlement of VIE obligations at October 31, 2011) Other assets, net Other assets, net Assets Total assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Current liabilities: Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Totals Secured Debt, Current Mortgages payable Mortgage payable Mortgages payable ($1,394,230 recourse limited to VIE creditors at October 31, 2011) Accrued Income Taxes Current Income taxes payable Income taxes payable Liabilities Current TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES Total current liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities Deferred tax liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Totals Liabilities Liabilities TOTAL LIABILITIES Total liabilities Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Equity: Equity: Common Stock Value Common stock - authorized 20,000,000 shares at $.01 par value; 6,978,374 and 7,110,507 shares issued and outstanding, respectively Common stock - authorized 20,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value; 6,889,424 and 7,110,507 shares issued and outstanding Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Retained earnings Retained earnings Stockholders Equity Total RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Total RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Minority Interest Noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net equity Balance Total equity Balance Balance Liabilities and Stockholders Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total liabilities and equity Variable Interest Entities By Classification Of Entity [Axis] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Classification Of Variable Interest Entity [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member] Variable Interest Entity Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Trade accounts receivable Trade accounts receivable Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized Common stock, authorized Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Revenue, Net Net sales Sales revenue Cost Of Goods Sold Cost of sales Cost of sales Gross Profit Gross profit Gross profit Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Operating expenses: Research and Development Expense Engineering Engineering Selling General and Administrative Expense Selling and general Selling and general Operating Expenses Totals Totals Operating Income Loss Operating income Operating income Operating income Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense) Other income/(expense) Investment Income, Interest Interest income Other income - interest Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income, net Other income, net Other income, net Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest and Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income (loss) before provision for income taxes Income before provision for income taxes Income before provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income tax benefit Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Consolidated net income Net income Consolidated net income Consolidated net income (A) Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income attributable to VIE Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Parent Net income attributable to RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Net income attributable to RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Net income attributable to RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share: Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earning per share basic Basic net earnings per share (A)(B) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Earning per share diluted Diluted net earnings per share (A)(C) Statement Of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings Parent [Member] Net income attributable to RF Industries, Ltd. and Subsidiary Total RF Industries, Ltd and Subsidiary Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Net income attributable to VIE Noncontrolling Interest Shares, Outstanding Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital, Share-Based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock based compensation expense Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Stock issuance for acquisition of business (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Stock issuance for acquisition of business Stock issuance for acquisition of business (Cables Unlimited) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period Exercise of stock options (in shares) Options exercised Options exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital, Income Tax Benefit From Share-Based Compensation Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options Consolidation Variable Interest Entity Consolidation of VIE Consolidation Variable Interest Entity. Deconsolidation Variable Interest Entity Deconsolidation of VIE Deconsolidation Variable Interest Entity. Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Treasury stock purchased and retired (in shares) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Treasury stock purchased and retired Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends paid and payable Dividends Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating activities: Operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision and Recovery For Doubtful Accounts Bad debt expense Bad debt (recovery) expense adjustment Provision and Recovery For Doubtful Accounts Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Inventory Write-Downs Inventory write-downs Inventory write-downs Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Share-Based Compensation Stock based compensation expense Stock based compensation expense Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash For Operating Activities Restricted cash Restricted cash Restricted cash Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable Trade accounts receivable Trade accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventories Inventories Inventories Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable Income taxes prepaid (payable) Income taxes payable Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets Other current assets Other current assets Other current assets Other Long-Term Assets Other long-term assets Other long-term assets Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accounts payable Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses Accrued expenses Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing activities: Investing activities: Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Acquisition of business (Cables Unlimited) Acquisition of business (Cables Unlimited) Acquisition of business (Cables Unlimited) Payments To Acquire Investments Purchase of certificates of deposit Purchase of certificates of deposit Purchase of certificates of deposit Proceeds From Sale and Maturity Of Marketable Securities Maturity of certificates of deposit Maturity of certificates of deposit Payments To Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to equipment and furnishings Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities: Financing activities: Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock Purchase of treasury stock Purchases of treasury stock Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation Repayments Of Long Term Debt Principal payments on long-term liabilities Principal payments on mortgages payable Dividends Paid Dividends Paid Dividends paid Dividends paid Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental cash flow information Supplemental cash flow information Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid Income taxes paid Interest Paid Interest paid Interest paid Cash Flow Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Noncash investing and financing activities: Noncash investing and financing activities: Retirement Of Treasury Stock Retirement of treasury stock Retirement of treasury stock Retirement of Treasury Stock Accumulated Depreciation Depletion and Amortization Writedown Of Property Plant and Equipment Write off of fully depreciated fixed assets Write-off of fully depreciated fixed assets Variable Interest Entity Nonconsolidated Carrying Amount Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Assets and liabilities of VIE as of January 25, 2012: Assets and liabilities of VIE as of January 25, 2012: Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis Of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Business activities and summary of significant accounting policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Text Block [Abstract] Text Block [Abstract] Text Block [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories and major vendors Inventories and major vendors Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Segment Information Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes Income Tax Disclosure Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Text Block] Stock-based compensation and equity transactions Stock options Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Retirement plan Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related party transactions Legal Matters and Contingencies [Abstract] Legal Matters and Contingencies [Abstract] Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Legal proceedings Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Business Acquisition Business Acquisition Schedule Of Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Schedule Of Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Disclosure Of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Variable interest entity Variable interest entity Disclosure of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Dividends Declaration [Abstract] Dividends Declaration [Abstract] Dividends Declaration [Text Block] Dividends declaration Declaration of dividends Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities Disclosure Noncurrent [Text Block] Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Mortgages payable Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Authorized number of shares of common stock Authorized number of shares of common stock Common Stock Disclosure [Abstract] Common Stock Disclosure [Abstract] Common Stock Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock Disclosure Text Block Stock Split Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Subsequent events Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Business activities Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Use Of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue recognition Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventories [Policy Text Block] Inventories Inventories [Policy Text Block] Inventories [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Deferred Financing Costs [Policy Text Block] Deferred financing costs Deferred Financing Costs [Policy Text Block] Deferred Financing Costs [Policy Text Block] Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] Variable interest entity Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Impairment Or Disposal Of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-lived assets Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]