@classmethod
def row_to_dict(cls, row):
    """
        Converts a raw input record to a dictionary of observation data.

        :param cls: current class
        :param row: a single observation as a list or tuple
        """
    comment_code = row[3]
    if comment_code.lower() == 'na':
        comment_code = ''
    comp1 = row[4]
    if comp1.lower() == 'na':
        comp1 = ''
    comp2 = row[5]
    if comp2.lower() == 'na':
        comp2 = ''
    chart = row[6]
    if chart.lower() == 'na':
        chart = ''
    notes = row[7]
    if notes.lower() == 'na':
        notes = ''
    return {'name': row[0], 'date': row[1], 'magnitude': row[2],
        'comment_code': comment_code, 'comp1': comp1, 'comp2': comp2,
        'chart': chart, 'notes': notes}
