So, I started playing EVE Online

[bilateralrope]

Which drones are you running with it ?

[PhilosopherOfSorts]

Drone Bay: Hammerhead 1 x4

[Kingmaker]

You might consider swapping to an armor tank, if the cross-training isn't burdensome. A dual medium armor repairer fit would repair about twice what you've got there while leaving most of your dps intact. You'd need a capacitor booster to keep them running, but you'd still free up two midslots. Those could be given over to omnidirectional tracking links and/or drone navigation computers. The first module improves drone tracking and range, so they are better at hitting their targets. The second improves drone speed, so they get to their target faster. You'd lose raw dps but your applied damage would probably improve.

As an aside, you'll want to get certain core support skills up as fast as possible. This is particularly true of 'fitting' skills, like CPU Management, Power Grid Management, and Weapons Upgrades.

[PhilosopherOfSorts]

I've got a fair amount of armor tank training, its just that armor tanking makes me nervous. Yes, I realize this means I should probably be flying Caldari ships, and I do have some training there and will probably switch over at some point.

Of the "fitting skills" you listed, I already have CPU Management at 4, Power Grid Management at 3, and Weapons Upgrades at 2 (or is that one 3 also? I'll have to check.) They seemed important from the start.

[Borgholio]

Well some ships are better for armor tanking than others. If your ship has a large number of low slots, or bonuses for armor repair / resists, then you should probably go armor tanking.