What is that eye sore near the west end of Santa Monica Airport? This is a piece of navigational equipment, well actually two pieces of navigational equipment. The "V-O-R" and "D-M-E" are collocated at this location.
The VOR (Very high frequency Omnidirectional Range) is a piece of equipment that sends out radio signals in each of the 360 degrees that defines the circle centered upon it. These radio signals are in the VHF (Very High Frequency) range. This is similar to the FM radio in your car. Car radios use frequencies 87.5 – 108.0 MHz while VORs use 108.1 – 118.0MHz. Santa Monica VOR frequency is 110.8MHz. Pilots attempting to fly to Santa Monica that are not familiar with landmarks, roads, etc can use a piece of equipment within their airplane to tune into frequency 110.8MHz and track a radial to the Santa Monica VOR. Pilots may also track a radial away from the Santa Monica VOR as a means of navigating to another VOR in the area, say Van Nuys or Seal Beach for instance.
The DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) measures the slant range distance from the airplane to DME. Slant range is a way for pilots to compensate for the fact that they are at altitude; they are not on the same level as the DME antennae.
By having a radial to fly along and distance to fly, pilots are able to navigate from long distances right here to Santa Monica.