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Originally Posted by Inziladun
As for the general 'strain' of using them, I haven't been able to find a reference specifically for the communications aspect. It does say that the Stones were most easily used by 'Heirs of Isildur', and to a lesser extent, those with legitimate inherited authority in the Realms in Exile.
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Gotcha covered
Inzil.
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The breaking strain of Denethor's confrontation of Sauron must be distinguished from the general strain of using the Stone. The latter Denethor thought that he could endure (and not without reason); confrontation with Sauron almost certainly did not occur for many years, and was probably never originally contemplated by Denethor.~Unfinished Tales: The Palantiri
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There is also a note to see pages 429-30, which I don't want to quote the entire part, but will point out probably the most interesting (and relevant) stuff:
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A viewer could by his will cause the vision of the Stone to concentrate on some point, on or near its direct line.
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But this "concentration" was very tiring and might become exhausting. Consequently it was only undertaken when information was urgently desired, and chance (aided by other information) enabled the surveyor to pick out items (significant for him and his immediate concern) from the welter of the Stone's visions. For example, Denethor sitting before the Anor-stone anxious about Rohan, and deciding whether or not at once to order the kindling of the beacons and the sending out of the "arrow," might place himself in a direct line looking north-west by west through Rohan, passing close to Edoras and on towards the Fords of Isen. At that time there might be visible movements of men in that line. If so, he could concentrate on (say) a group, see them as Riders, and finally discover some known figure to him: Gandalf, for instance, riding with the reinforcements to Helm's Deep, and suddenly breaking away and racing northwards.~ibid
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There was two strains Denethor had to endure when using the stones, one was caused by his confrontation with Sauron, which ended up breaking his mind. The other strain seems to only be if a viewer wishes to "concentrate" on a specific point in order to get urgent information. I think we can assume Denethor was trying to concentrate on certain points, as he always worried about "the supplanter," Gandalf and his chap, Aragorn.