       }
       else {
         if ( b == ',' ) {
+          strcpy(east_west,buffer);
           Serial.print("E/W indicator  : ");
-          Serial.println(buffer);
-          east_west=buffer;
+          Serial.println(east_west);
+
           state = PS_READ_POSITION_FIX;
           resetBuffer();
         }

      }
      else {
        if ( b == ',' ) {
          Serial.print("POSITION FIX   : ");
          Serial.println(buffer);
          positionFix=buffer; 
          state = PS_READ_NUM_SAT;
          resetBuffer();
          //delay(500); don't do this!

    }
    else {
      if ( b == ',' ) {
        strcpy(north_south,buffer);
        Serial.print("N/S indicator  : ");
        Serial.println(north_south);        
        state = PS_READ_LONGITUDE;
        resetBuffer();
      }
