YBa2Cu3O7−&dgr;superconductor–normal–superconductor junctions in step‐edge geometry are fabricated by aninsituprocess using off‐axis sputter deposition. Gold is used as the normal metal interlayer. A special inhibiting layer is introduced to ensure proper separation of the superconducting electrodes. The temperature dependence of the critical currentIcis nearly linear. The junctions show high normal resistances up toRN=10 &OHgr; and highIcRNproducts up to 8.8 mV at 4.2 K.I–Vcharacteristics exhibit a large excess currentIexover the whole temperature range, even for electrically narrow junctions. The power dependence of Shapiro step heights shows characteristic deviations from the resistively and capacitively shunted junction model. Calculations using the time‐dependent Ginzburg–Landau equations are carried out to model the measuredI–Vcharacteristics with and without microwave irradiation. A point‐contact‐like superconductor–constriction–superconductor model is suggested to explain the excess current and the measured temperature dependence ofIcandIex. Time‐dependent Ginzburg–Landau equations are used to account for the observed dynamic characteristics. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.