Radio operator suspended, unable to function (9)

I believe the answer is:

hamstrung

'unable to function' is the definition.
(hamstrung means hindered or unable to function)

'radio operator suspended' is the wordplay.
'radio operator' becomes 'ham' (as in ham radio).
'suspended' becomes 'strung' (I've seen this before).
'ham'+'strung'='HAMSTRUNG'

(Other definitions for hamstrung that I've seen before include "restricted" , "Powerless" , "Crippled" , "Stymied" , "Made ineffective" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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