Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities - Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investing activities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$ 1,539	$ 740
Capital expenditures incurred not yet paid	407	1,899	4,638
Stock-based compensation included in capital expenditures	130	80	57
Gateway and components recorded in inventory in current and prior years which were used for construction under satellite network and other equipment	175	33	123
Financing activities:
Common stock redeemed in treasury stock from closing escrow agreement		96
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend paid in kind	59	69	27
Common stock issued as a form of payment for bonus			125
LMS [Member]
Investing activities:
Common stock issued in connection with the acquisition		2,123
StarTrak [Member]
Investing activities:
Common stock issued in connection with the purchase of Satcom's shares from noncontrolling ownership interests		1,000
Adjustment to StarTrak and LMS warranty liabilities from finalizing the purchase price allocation		393
Common stock issued in connection with the acquisition			8,349
Series A convertible preferred stock issued in connection with the acquisition of StarTrak			1,834
6% secured promissory note issued in connection with the acquisition of StarTrak			3,812
Cost method investment in Alanco delivered back to Alanco in connection with the acquisition of StarTrak			2,050
AIS [Member]
Investing activities:
AIS satellites accounted for as a capital lease		903
MobileNet [Member]
Investing activities:
Common stock issued in connection with the acquisition	$ 1,634