Is the loss of geostationary satellites due to the Earth's curvature?

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Eldorado

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How can you calculate the maximum latitude for communication with a geostationary orbit? When I scale the Earth's circumference and a GEO orbit graphically, even with the slight eccentricity of the earth buldging at the equator, it still "visually" appears signal would not be lost. Is there a mathematical derivation?
 
Whether or not an antenna has line of sight to a geosynchronous satellite depends on the antenna's latitude, but also its altitude.

For example, a 10-foot antenna at the Earth's rotational poles would have little chance of getting a signal. However, an antenna 10 miles high would have a better chance.

Meanwhile, a 10-foot antenna at any central latitude would be more than sufficient.
 
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