I have used controls, but in my finished product, I want to omit them. The only control I want to see in my finished product is the tuning control. I find that the resistor between base and emitter determines maximum sensitivity to a point. At this point, I want to maximize the resistance, because I want to pick up long distance radio stations (more than 90km away) that some radios pick up. I am still unsure as to which value resistor I should use between the base and the end of the 27K resistor. I'm afraid if it is too low, remote stations will be cut out, and possibly local ones. If it is too high, I might not get enough power to the antenna or I might not get enough volume.