Cheapest way to share location+track

It sounds like you want something like Strava Beacon or Garmin Earthmate.

Strava Beacon looks like what I am looking for! Thanks for sharing that. Will test it out!

So it’s a phone app that tracks your location? Interesting. Definitely cheaper subscription cost than my InReach. Since I want to fish on the north coast where there is limited cell service I will have to stick with the InReach. Plus being able to summon emergency help when out of cell service is worth something.

Strava was originally developed for runners and cyclists to track their fitness activities and training metrics. They have expanded to include many other activities. There is a live feature, as others mentioned earlier in this thread, but that feature is limited to cell reception. I use it to track my outings, but I don't use the live feature.

Also, a satellite device is not a suitable replacement for a VHF radio. They do different things, for different reasons.

CG advertises 1 watt radio transmission at 6ft above sea level can be heard within 20 miles of shore anywhere in the continental US. That is actually an international goal, but continental US is one of the only places that actually has that goal met. They have an extensive tower network that covers the whole coastline - much different than cell coverage. They respond on VHF channel 16, usually pretty quickly.

They have an extensive tower network that covers the whole coastline

Ok good to know. I think vhf + iphone w/ satellite for safety, and then strava beacon for tracking I can share with my family (within cell reception) seems like it will work well for me.