Well I found out that you can, but Sonar needs a restart and then the screenset keys are overridden in the main windows like track and console.
I was so happy, but.. wait for it....
The override doesn't work in the step record dialog, when that's open 1-9 still switch screensets, but ONLY if the focus is in the patterns listbox.
lmao, this is getting almost comical, it's like it's done on purpose to thwart my efforts, all I want is to enter patterns in step record