autohotkey cum Filco minila keyboard rewiring questions to make use of fn keys

[berserkfan]

I have a Filco minila JIS layout. It looks like this
http://www.diatec.co.jp/image_prod/FFBT68MNB_01.jpg

As you can see, there are two function keys next to the spacebar. These do not send scancodes.

I find these two onboard function keys a waste of space and would like to put them to some additional work. I want to make them space keys, and I want the original spacebar to become return instead, and I want them all to retain their capacity for use as macro key combos. EG scXXX & scYYY::Execute this Macro
Return

Now how can I go about making this work?

Partial Solution 1
Cut the traces for the two function keys, then wire them to the spacebar's leads
This solution will make everything a space key, but it won't let me turn the spacebar into something else. It will also take away their stock ability to trigger the hidden fn layer

Better Solution
Wire the two function keys to another key that I am unlikely to trigger. Such as the Yen key on the top right corner next to Backspace. That key returns sc07D, so I should use ahk code
sc07D::space
I will connect the leads without cutting any traces.

But will it result in the stock hidden function layer no longer working? Since the stock Filco function layer triggers lots of keys, I can't just give that up.

In this case how do I make it such that space is returned if the key is released and no other scancodes are sent, but space is not returned if the function layer is triggered and another scancode sent?

IE when I trigger the hidden layer, I don't want space to be returned as well.

You can see from the picture that Filco has useful stuff like function keys and navigation keys in the hidden layer. Obviously they would suck if space is returned after these keys are returned.

Because the hidden layer is triggered at the keyboard controller level, I have to devise some autohotkey hack that will disregard space if another scancode eg F2 or PgUp is already sent. Surely this is doable since space was remapped at ahk level to begin with!

Then to make the space bar return the Enter function should be a fairly straightfoward remap.

sc039::Enter

I should still be able to use the space bar for other macro purposes, such as sc039 & scXXX::DoThisAndThat

Extreme Solution:
Wiring the entire keyboard to a new controller such as bpiphany's won't work. Filco Minila has a different keyboard controller and there isn't really enough space under the casing for me to cram another controller and all the associated wires inside. Not to mention this is a bluetooth, so I don't want to risk too much damage.

Messing with this Filco is proving rather frustrating. Now that I have gone to an ortholinear layout, I don't appreciate the 1/3 staggering layout anymore. It just doesn't seem logical.

[Philister]

Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you with any of your rewiring plans. It's just a shame the Fn keys aren't internally re-programmable as Filco tech support have confirmed to me. Have you had any success since?

However, I'm still going to get one just like yours (Is it Japanese layout?) as I will use it in a split ergonomic setup consisting of two 60% keyboards placed right next to each other at a slight angle (think Kinesis Freestyle, but much longer on the outside with plenty of extra keys for hotkeys). That way I will only use the very right-hand side of the Minila and the Fn key will be under my palm, so not being able to make it more useful won't bother me. The Minila's layout of and around the right space key make it ideal for the purpose.

I didn't quite understand your last two sentences, though.

Now that I have gone to an ortholinear layout, I don't appreciate the 1/3 staggering layout anymore. It just doesn't seem logical.

Could you explain, please?

[FuriousGeorge]

Can't you change the dip switch settings to remap the function keys to space? I have the US version, but on the back of mine it looks like switch 3 and 4 should change the function keys to space on all versions of the minila.