What is the effect of adding a terminating resistor to a rhombic or long-wire antenna?

A standard long-wire or rhombic antenna operates as a standing wave antenna if left unterminated, meaning it reflects RF energy back from the far ends. This reflection results in a bidirectional radiation pattern, transmitting and receiving in two opposite directions. By adding a non-inductive terminating resistor at the far end of the antenna, the RF energy that would normally reflect back is absorbed as heat. This transforms the antenna into a traveling wave antenna, completely preventing the reverse-direction reflections. Consequently, the radiation pattern changes from bidirectional (radiating both forward and backward) to unidirectional (radiating mainly toward the terminated end). Options suggesting polarization changes or reduced ground loss are entirely unrelated to the function of a terminating resistor.