Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,759	$ 8,903	$ (56)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts	26	12	(300)
Depreciation and amortization	6,001	4,824	4,995
Accretion on note payable - related party			98
Change in the fair values of acquisitions-related contingent consideration	(1,003)	(150)
Amortization of the fair value adjustment related to StarTrak warranty liabilities	(47)	(200)
Loss on dispostion of other investment in Alanco			305
Stock-based compensation	2,973	1,801	1,914
Foreign exchange losses (gains)	32	(92)	(8)
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	187	765	1,219
Increase in fair value of indemnification assets	(253)	(103)	(10)
Deferred income taxes	724	26	46
Gain on extinguishment of debt and accounts payable		(1,214)
Amortization of transition shared services		114
Dividend received in common stock for other investment			(84)
Gain on insurance settlement-satellite network		(207)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accounts receivable	(2,698)	(1,615)	(1,507)
Inventories	729	318	(544)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(444)	202	(50)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,465)	191	535
Deferred revenue	(1,032)	608	(153)
Other liabilities	265	(238)	(93)
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,754	13,945	6,307
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(37,296)	(36,570)	(7,881)
Purchases of marketable securities	(51,448)	(52,493)	(81,254)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	79,230	69,732	101,963
Change in restricted cash		1,025	810
Proceeds of insurance settlement-satellite network		10,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(16,590)	(12,306)	11,762
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds received from issuance of $45,000 Senior Notes	45,000
Cash paid for debt issuance costs	(1,387)
Proceeds received from exercise of stock options	1,825
Purchase of noncontrolling ownership interests in Satcom International Group plc		(199)
Repayment of Satcom notes payable		(253)
Principal payment of note payable	(3,450)	(250)	(200)
Principal payments of capital leases	(203)	(507)
Payment upon exercise of SARs			(24)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	41,785	(1,209)	(224)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(378)	(708)	190
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	33,571	(278)	18,035
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	34,783	35,061	17,026
End of year	68,354	34,783	35,061
Cash paid for
Interest	4,262	242	138
Income taxes	1,404	1,205	25
LMS [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of net assets		(4,000)
StarTrak [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of net assets			(1,876)
GlobalTrak [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of net assets	(1,867)
MobileNet [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of net assets	(3,231)
SENS [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of net assets	$ (1,978)