YBa2Cu3O7-x bicrystal de-superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and single layer magnetometers working at 77 K have been fabricated and analyzed. Samples have been made in situ by cylindrical magnetron de sputtering on [001] SrTiO3 bicrystal substrates. Magnetic flux noise levels and magnetic field sensitivities by standard flux-locked-loop electronics have been measured out on dc-SQUIDs and magnetometers, respectively. Flux noise levels as low as a few mu Phi(0)Hz(-1/2) in the white noise regime have been measured in SQUIDs, whereas the magnetic field sensitivity of the magnetometers was influenced by external sources. A comparison of experimental data with analytical expressions modelling the behavior of high T-c SQUIDs has been carried out, with special reference to the flux-to-voltage transfer parameter and noise characteristics. Finally, a reduction of 1/f noise of the SQUIDs has been achieved by a wide band bias reversal electronics. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.