def latlon_decimaldegrees(nmealat, latchar, nmealon, lonchar):
    """
    Converts the nmea lat & lon into decimal degrees

    Note:
        West (of prime meridian) longitude as negative
        East (of prime meridian) longitude as positive
        North (of the equator) latitude is positive
        South (of the equator) latitude is negative

    Args:
        nmealat(str): latitude
        latchar(str): N or S
        nmealon(str): longitude
        lonchar(str): E or W

    Returns:
        latdeg(float): the latitude in decimal degrees
        londeg(float): the longitude in decimal degrees
    """
    nmealon = float(nmealon)
    nmealat = float(nmealat)
    londegwhole = int(nmealon/100)
    londecdeg = (nmealon - londegwhole * 100)/60
    londeg = londegwhole + londecdeg
    if lonchar == 'W':
        londeg = (-1)*londeg
    latdegwhole = int(nmealat/100)
    latdecdeg = (nmealat - latdegwhole * 100)/60
    latdeg = latdegwhole + latdecdeg
    if latchar == 'S':
        latdeg = (-1)*latdeg
    return latdeg, londeg