i am trying to beam notes from my newton emate pda to my pc, using
infra red, which has a kc technologies irda usb module attached is
there any way of doing this? do i need a piece of software to do this
on the pc? is there any irda module out there that will work with pc
and newton?

What version of emate and Newton Os do you have?

According to Steve Weyer, the earlier versions are on IRDA capable.
[Install on your Messagepad 2000, 2100, or eMate. (The MP130 and
earlier models are not IrDA-capable...sorry.) ]

if your vesrion is IrDa capable, have a look at pages:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/saweyer/newton/sloup/connect.htm#IrDA
http://bigweb.misty.com/weyer/newton/sloup/SL_HELP.htm

and

http://www.tempel.org/newton/

rom version 2.1 emate 300/

And have you managed tour task using links provided?

not really. i have to get the kit to install the software on the emate
in the first place. most of the links  refer to emate to mac
interfacing or use of the serial cable. using the serial cable is
fine, but i haven;'t got one to install te software on or communicate
to the emate. i am going to search on eaby for one, but there seems no
info on getting the emate to beam to a pc by infra red.

So you are unable to install anything on eMate. Difficult case

The Newton Connection page
http://homepage.mac.com/dettmer/newton/150.html

list Quick Beam Suite for Windows 
http://www.extendedsystems.com/ESI/Products/Wireless+Connectivity+Products/IrDA+A
dapters/Product+Detail/QuickBeam.htm
as a IRDA connection solution, try if it helps (althouth there is no
mention of Newton on homepage), download(buy) at

http://www.extendedsystems.com/ESI/Service+Support/dlfiles.asp?cat=Infrared-Software

Report if it helps.