About 77,000 spectra obtained with the auroral radar SABRE have been anlayzed on a statistical basis. They have been characterized by their first four moments: power, mean velocity width, and skewness. Histograms of the frequency of occurrence for these moments are presented and discussed. It is striking that only very few broad spectra are found, contrary to the results of other studies of auroral radar spectra. Different methods to determine the phase velocities of the auroral irregularities are also discussed. Due to a very frequent skewness of the spectra, the often applied double-pulse technique seems least suited to determine the Doppler velocity accurately. Strong differences are also found in the characteristics of the spectra for positive and negative Doppler velocities. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.