Attempted to get connected around the end of October (5)
I believe the answer is:
tried
'attempted' is the definition.
('try' can be a synonym of 'attempt')
'connected around the end of october' is the wordplay.
'connected' becomes 'tied' ('tie' can be a synonym of 'connect').
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'the end of' says to take the final letters.
The last letter of 'october' is 'r'.
'tied' placed around 'r' is 'TRIED'.
'to get' is the link.
(Other definitions for tried that I've seen before include "Tested" , "heard in court" , "Put to the test" , "tasted" , "Essayed" .)